<p>I am filling out an admissions application and one of the questions is "Are you a dependent of a veteran?". I currently live with my mom, and I am going to use her tax info to fill out my FAFSA. But my dad served in the Marine Corps, so am I considered a dependent in this instance?
Thanks :)</p>
<p>You are the dependent of a veteran. You are a dependent if you are under 24 and have no dependents of your own.</p>
<p>The technical definition of a being a dependent is if the person claiming you as a dependent provides more than 50% of your support; it’s a tax term. You can be claimed as a dependent up to age 24, but you are not inherently a dependent just because of your age.
In this case, my guess is that the application is referring to dependent less in the legal/tax sense, and your dad would count even if your mom is claiming you as a dependent for tax purposes. If you want to double check, though, I would talk to your dad to find out if you are his dependent for tax purposes and also check with the admissions people to find out what exactly they mean.</p>
<p>^ The definition of Dependent of a Veteran has nothing to do with taxes. It has to do with being the child of a veteran. The other definition I posted should have stated for FAFSA purposes you are a dependent until age 24 and have no dependents of your own.</p>
<p>^^yes, what Erin’sDad said</p>
<p>^Definitely what Erin’s Dad said. You are the dependent of a veteran, OP.</p>
<p>Dependency for taxes, and dependency for FAFSA (or other financial aid paperwork) are two different things as well. It is entirely possible to be dependent on one parent for taxes, and on the other for FAFSA, or to not be anyone’s dependent for tax purposes, but still be someone’s dependent for FAFSA.</p>