Q&A: What is the difference between Dependent vs Independent?

Dependent

• Student must include their parents' financial information on the FAFSA.
• The student's parent must sign the FAFSA using the parent's FSA ID (not the student's).
• Will typically be offered lower unsubsidized and subsidized loan amounts but will be offered a Parent PLUS loan.

Independent

• Do not need to include their parents' information on the FAFSA.
• If married, must include spouse's tax information on the FAFSA.
• Will typically qualify for higher unsubsidized and subsidized loans but will not qualify for a Parent PLUS loan.

Dependency on the FAFSA is specific to the FAFSA. It is unrelated to financial independence or whether or not the student is claimed as a dependent for tax purposes.

If a student meets any one of the criteria listed in the Independent column below, they will likely be classified as an independent student.

For more information, check out the Dependency Status article at www.studentaid.gov.

Dependent	Independent
Must include parent’s information on the FAFSA	Do not need to include parent’s information on the FAFSA
Will be 23 or younger by Jan. 1 of the school year for which you are applying for financial aid	Will be 24 or older by Jan. 1 of the school year for which you are applying for financial aid
	Married
	Support a child or legal dependents more than 50%
	Are an orphan, ward of the court, or have been in foster care
	Are under legal guardianship with someone other than your biological parents
	Documented homelessness
	Documented unaccompanied youth
	Are a graduate student