24 or older
A student age 24 or older by Dec. 31 of the award year is considered independent for federal financial aid purposes.

Does the number of dependents affect FAFSA?

The number of dependents you have affects how much financial aid you receive for school. If you are an independent student filling out a FAFSA, also known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the more dependents you have – meaning children who you support financially – the greater aid you will receive.

What does it mean to be dependent on FAFSA?

Dependency status for federal student aid purposes is not the same as dependency status for federal income tax purposes. Students who are dependent for federal student aid purposes must supply parent information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

How old do you have to be to be independent on FAFSA?

Does all of this together make me a FAFSA independent student? The short answer – unfortunately – is no. Undergraduate students who are under age 24 as of December 31 of the award year are considered to be independent for federal student aid purposes if: • They are married. • They have dependents.

Do you have to supply parents information on FAFSA?

Students who are dependent for federal student aid purposes must supply parent information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who are independent do not have to supply their parents’ information and often qualify for more student financial aid as a result.

Can a independent student qualify for financial aid?

In most cases, independent students will qualify for more financial aid since their parents’ financial information is not taken into account. Many parents are familiar with IRS rules for claiming a child as a dependent, but the dependency rules for FAFSA purposes are different.