Do I need to provide parental information to apply for aid?

When we calculate your eligibility for federal student aid, we ask for your financial information to determine how much need you have. Federal law also requires us to take into account financial information from your parents.

To determine whether or not you need to provide parental information, you must determine your dependency status. Answer the questions below to find out.

The following questions are asked on the FAFSA4caster to determine if you are an independent student for federal student aid purposes:

Were you born before January1, 1984?	No	Yes
When you attend college, will you be working on a master's or doctorate degree (such as an M.A., M.B.A., M.D., J.D., Ph.D., Ed.D., or graduate certificate, etc.)?	No	Yes
Are you married? (Answer "Yes" if you are separated but not divorced.)	No	Yes
Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?	No	Yes
Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you?	No	Yes
Are (a) both of your parents deceased or (b) are you (or were you until age 18) a ward or dependent of the court?	No	Yes
Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces for purposes other than training? (If you are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee, are you on active duty for other than state or training purposes?)	No	Yes
Are you a veteran of the U.S. armed forces? Answer No (you are not a veteran) if you (1) have never engaged in active duty in the U.S. armed forces, (2) are currently a Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) student or a cadet or midshipman at a service academy or (3) are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee activated only for training. Also answer No if you are currently serving in the U.S. armed forces and will continue to serve through the end of the award year. Answer Yes (you are a veteran) if you (1) have engaged in active duty in the U.S. armed forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard) or are a National Guard or Reserve enlistee who was called to active duty for purposes other than training, or were a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies and (2) were released under a condition other than dishonorable. Also answer Yes if you are not a veteran now but will be one by the Federal Student Aid application deadline for the school year you will be attending.	No	Yes

If you answered No to every question, you are considered a dependent student, and you must provide financial information for your parents on the FAFSA4caster.

If you answered Yes to any question, you are considered an independent student, and you do not have to provide financial information for your parents on the FAFSA4caster.

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