Remember that these types of loans come with student loan limits. In some cases, you could be eligible for additional unsubsidized student loans. Or they might be able to direct you to other resources, such as private student loans. See Your Rates Checking rates will not affect your credit. The difference between independent vs. Your dependency status affects what financial aid you qualify for, including subsidized and unsubsidized student loans. With Credible, you can easily compare multiple private student loan lenders after filling out just one form.
Home » All » Student Loans » Independent vs. Dependent Student: Which Are You? Advertiser Disclosure. When are you considered a dependent student? When are you considered an independent student? What to do if you have a special circumstance You can try to appeal your status Financing your education What is the difference between independent and dependent students?
Your choice could have a big impact on how much aid you receive. Why is that? In general, you are a dependent student if you're dependent on your parent or guardian for financial support housing, groceries, etc. The Department of Education has specific criteria to determine dependency for the purpose of student aid.
A dependent student is a student who doesn't meet any of the requirements for an independent student. In the vast majority of cases, an undergrad student who lives with their parents is going to be considered a dependent. A student is considered independent if they meet any of the following criteria. They are:. Note: Your school may ask for documentation of your independent status, such as a marriage certificate or proof of emancipation, so be prepared to provide it.
If they don't apply and you have tricky situations, such as not living with your parents, are not in contact with you, or they're simply unwilling to provide their information. If your custodial parent has remarried, you will also need to include your custodial parent's spouse's income information as well. If a single, divorced parent receives child support, it must be declared along with their income.
If your parents cannot contribute to your education due to death, disability, incarceration, abandonment, abuse or another reason, you may be eligible to change your status by completing a Dependency Review Form. Simply having a less-than-ideal parental relationship isn't going to change your status. Be sure to check our question-by-question FAFSA guide to help ensure that you qualify for the maximum amount of financial aid that you're entitled to.
The CSS Profile provides further clarification on financial aid circumstances, and provides a more in-depth look at family particulars. The college would then request to see additional documentation from family court, if needed. For families that are experiencing separation or divorce, the College Board has put together this helpful section on completing the CSS Profile.
The student also has a child, which makes them qualify as an independent student. Does this mean the school should NOT ask for a state regarding their income? Or ask how they are able to support their child with no income or government assistance listed on the FAFSA?
A: A student with children is considered independent when he or she is providing more than half of the support for the child — or children. Unfortunately, having a child, does not automatically make a student independent on that basis alone. In that case, the school has the right to ask for documentation regarding proof of where financial support comes from for that particular child. Q: My husband and I have been separated for five years. We live in different states, and the kids live with me.
What is the correct filing status for us? They will not release his financial aid until the correct forms are filed.
In the future, you also both need to agree on who will claim the children on each tax return. Q : I have been trying to apply for financial aid through the FAFSA, but it will not recognize me as an independent student. I have not been in contact with my father for quite some time.
I cannot afford college on my own. A: Unfortunately, the federal government views paying for college as the responsibility of the parents, even though thousands of students have the same experience that you have described. You can only qualify as an independent student on the FAFSA if you are at least 24 years of age, married, on active duty in the U.
0コメント