<p>Eligibility for an independent status has nothing to do with whether or not parents should pay, etc. it is simply the way the aid system is set up. A student is required to provide parent asset/income unless one or more of the followin apply:</p>
<p>•You are at least 24 years old on the day you file your FAFSA (I will modify this to be 24 in the year you file your FAFSA)
•You are or will be enrolled in a masters or Doctoral degree program at the beginning of the school year
•You are married on the day you file your FAFSA
•You are a parent
•You have dependents other than your spouse who live with you and who receive more than half their support from you at the time you apply
•Both your parents are deceased (or were until age 18) a ward of dependent of the court
•You are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training
•You’re a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.
•You were a foster child after the age of 13.
•You are an emancipated child as determined by a court judge.
•You are homeless or at risk of homelessness as determined by the director of a HUD approved homeless shelter, transitional program, or high school liaison</p>
<p>If none of these apply, then you are a dependent student</p>