I am moving out of my parents' house and will support myself. Am I an independent student for the FAFSA?

Playlist: Understanding the FAFSA

I am moving out of my parents' house and will support myself.

Am I an independent student for the FAFSA?

Moving out of your parents' house does not automatically make you an independent student.

You are an independent student if you answer yes to any of the following questions:

Were you born before January 1, 1995, for the 2018-19 academic year, or before January 1, 1996 for the 2019-20 academic year?

At the beginning of the school year, will you be working on a master's or doctorate program?

As of today, are you married or separated?

Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?

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?

Are both of your parents deceased, or were you a ward or dependent of the court until age 18?

Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?

Are you currently serving on active duty in the Armed Forces other than training?

Are you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state?

Are you in a legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state?

Did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?

Did a director of an emergency shelter program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?

Did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you will be considered Independent and will not be required to submit parent information on the FAFSA.

Please note - you may be called upon to verify a "yes" answer if anything other than age will qualify you as Independent.

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