Dependency Status
A student's Dependency Status is determined by a group of dependency questions on the FAFSA. If a student cannot answer "yes" to any one of the Dependency questions on the FAFSA, they are automatically deemed dependent by FAFSA standards and advised to supply parental information on the FAFSA.
- Dependency questions identify if the student is:
- Over the age of 23
- Married
- Has dependents who receive over half of their support from the student
- Veteran or Active Military
- In a legal guardianship
- Homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
- Emancipated minor
- In foster care or orphan ward of the court
Students who answer "yes" to any one of the Dependency questions may be asked to verify their statement by submitting additional supporting documentation to the Office of Student Financial Assistance.
Dependency Appeals
A student who is classified as dependent on the FAFSA but feels he/she has extenuating circumstances may submit a Dependency Appeal to request a review of his/her situation. Such a student may be reclassified as independent (and thus not required to include parental information on the FAFSA) if our office approves a dependency appeal for that student. A parent’s inability or unwillingness to pay IU costs is not considered sufficient grounds alone to constitute a viable appeal. The student must demonstrate that an irretrievable breakdown in the student-parent relationship, or another extenuating circumstance, has occurred by providing the following documentation detailing their situation:
- A letter from the student.
- A letter/letters from a professional or third party.
- A letter from a relative.
The student must also submit a Dependency Appeal form. This form provides specific instructions concerning the content of the letters listed above and further details on the appeal process.
If a student’s dependency appeal is approved and the student is reclassified as independent, the parental information will be removed from consideration in the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculation, and the EFC will be recalculated.
Each year, students who have been reclassified as independent will need to confirm that they still meet the conditions for being an independent student. These students will be sent an email (in December) containing the link to the Previous Dependency Appeal Confirmation form. The form can also be obtained at the Office of Student Financial Assistance. Students should submit a FAFSA online by March 10, excluding parent information. Students should then make an appointment with the Office of Student Financial Assistance; they should bring the completed Previous Dependency Appeal Confirmation form to their appointment. At the appointment, the student's situation will be re-evaluated to determine if the student is still independent. If it is determined that the student is still independent the FAFSA will be properly coded to indicate the dependency override. This process can take 10-14 business days to complete after the student’s appointment and re-coding of the FAFSA.
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