A GUIDE TO FEDERAL RULES REGARDING STUDENT DEPENDENCY STATUS AND PARENTAL DATA AS REPORTED ON THE FAFSA. Determining Dependency

Overview Federal criteria for independent students Who is and is not considered a “parent” (for federal aid purposes) Options for students who are not independent but do not have access to parental information

Student Dependency Status on the FAFSA

Why Does Dependency Matter? Financial need based on a family contribution Most “traditional” students will be dependent Some students will have special circumstances Students can be considered independent only if they meet specific federally mandated criteria  Students must be able to answer “yes” to at least ONE of the following criteria

2012/2013 Criteria for Independent Status Born before January 1, 1989? Married at the time the FAFSA is filed? Graduate or professional student at the beginning of the 2012/2013 school year?

2012/2013 Criteria for Independent Status Active duty military (for purposes other than training)? Veteran of the US Armed Forces?  Engaged in active duty other than training OR  Were a cadet/midshipman at service academy  Released under a condition other than dishonorable  “No” if currently serving and will continue to serve through June 30, 2013

2012/2013 Criteria for Independent Status Have children who will receive more than half of their support from applicant?  “Yes” if child will be born before July 1, 2013 and receive more than half of their support from applicant. Have dependents who will receive more than half of their support from applicant?

2012/2013 Criteria for Independent Status Since age 13 were applicant’s parents deceased, was applicant in foster care, or was applicant a dependent/ward of the court? Emancipated minor (in state of legal residence)? Legal guardianship (in state of legal residence)?  Schools may require proof of the above

2012/2013 Criteria for Independent Status Unaccompanied youth that is homeless or at risk of being homeless on/after July 1, 2011?  “Homeless” means lacking fixed, regular, and adequate housing.  “Unaccompanied” means not living in the physical custody or parent or guardian.  Must be determined by school liaison or director of shelter/youth center/transitional housing program.

Dependency Overrides Requires extreme special circumstance (abuse and abandonment) Requires documentation from a third party Authority lies with Office of Financial Aid – decision is final and no appeals to Dept. of Education

Reporting Parental Data on the FAFSA

Parental Data Parental data should be reported on the FAFSA for:  Biological parents  In divorce/separation, custodial parent ONLY  (Legally) Adoptive parents  Stepparents, if married to the custodial parent and contributing to household

Parental Data Parental data should NOT be reported on the FAFSA for:  Foster parents  Legal guardians, relatives, or friends of the family who have not legally adopted the applicant

No Access to Parental Data If a student does not meet the criteria for independence but legitimately cannot access parental data (parent incarcerated, abuse, abandonment):  Student should indicate on application that they will not provide parental data and they meet special circumstances criteria  Student should contact school(s) they sent a FAFSA record to in order to determine next steps

Parental Refusal to Submit Data If a student does not meet independent or special circumstances criteria and their parents refuse to submit/allow access to data:  Student can submit FAFSA without it and qualify for an unsubsidized loan only  Parents must sign and date a statement indicating that they are not/will not support student and will not provide data for the FAFSA. If parents will not supply this, the statement must come from a third party.

Questions?

Resources  Dependency checklist  “Qualifying Parent” information  Available in English and Spanish

Thank you! Alexis Wolf Financial Aid Administrator ISFAA Member