You are here
Dependency Status
The U.S. Department of Education uses the questions listed below to determine whether a student is independent for financial aid purposes. If you cannot answer "YES" to any of these questions, you are considered dependent and must include parental financial information on your FAFSA.
ISU requires that you provide proof of your independent status. Read each question to find what type of documentation is required under each situation.
Note: If you are planning to be married after you have filed the FAFSA, contact our office to apply for independent status. You should be prepared to present official documentation noting a change in marital status.
Are you Independent by age?
No additional documentation is required for independent status due to age.
As of today are you married? (Answer "Yes" if you are separated but not divorced.)
If you are married yet you are not the age to be considered Independent (view chart), ISU requires that you provide a copy of your marriage license as documenting proof to the Financial Aid Office.
At the beginning of the school year, will you be working on a graduate degree or program?
Student must be accepted into a graduate program to qualify as an independent student based on this factor. To affirm admissions acceptance, call Admissions at 1-800-GO-2-ISU.
Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
If you are serving active duty, for purposes other than training, and are NOT considered Independent by age (view chart), you must provide a copy of your Active Duty Orders to the Financial Aid Office.
Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
If you are a veteran and are NOT considered Independent by age (view chart), you must provide a copy of your DD-214 Discharge papers to the Financial Aid Office.
Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1st and June 30th of your school term?
Example: for July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017 of the 2016-2017 school year. If you are NOT considered Independent by age (view chart) and claim to provide the majority of your child(s) support, you will need to complete a Verification of Dependent Support Form and provide documenting proof that you support your child.
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, now and through June 30th?
If you are NOT considered Independent by age (view chart) and claim to provide the majority of your dependent's support, you will need to complete a Verification of Dependent Support Form and provide documenting proof that you support your dependent(s).
At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care, or were you a dependent or ward of the court?
If you are NOT considered Independent by age (view chart) and answered yes to this question you will need to complete a Student Dependency Confirmation Form and provided documenting proof of your situation.
As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you an emancipated minor?
If you are NOT considered Independent by age (view chart) and answered yes to this question you will need to complete a Student Dependency Confirmation Form and provide a copy of your Emancipation document. Note that students living in Indiana who were emancipated after turning 18 are not considered independent students for this purpose. Also, emancipation for the purpose of ending child support does not qualify a student for independent status.
As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you in legal guardianship?
If you are NOT considered Independent by age (view chart) and answered yes to this question you will need to complete a Student Dependency Confirmation Form and provided a copy of your Legal Guardianship document.
Did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
Did this happen on or after July 1st of your High School Senior Year (view chart)? If you answer "YES" to this question you will need to complete an Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Form and provide written documentation from your high school verifying your homeless status.
Did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
Did this happen on or after July 1st of the previous calendar year (view chart)? If you answer "YES" to this question you will need to complete an Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Form and provide written documentation from the emergency shelter or transitional housing program verifying your homeless status.
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 were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
Did this happen on or after July 1st of the previous calendar year (view chart)? If you answer "YES" to this question you will need to complete an Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Form and provide written documentation from the runaway or homeless youth basic center verifying your homeless status.
Students who are unable to answer "YES" to these questions that have extraordinary circumstances, such as no contact with either biological parent, may appeal for independent status by filing this Dependency Override Request Form.
![]() |
Resources |
- FAFSA Assistance
- Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions
- MyISU Student Portal Help
- Financial Aid Glossary
- Proxy Information
- Contact Us
- Satisfaction Survey
Contact
220 North Seventh Street
150 Tirey Hall
Indiana State University
Contact Us

Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - noon and 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - noon and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.