A student is considered by Federal standards an independent or self supporting student if he or she meets one of the following conditions:
- Is at least 24 years of old by December 31st of the award year;
- Is an orphan or ward of the court or both parents are dead; (Ward of the Court papers or Death Certificates)
- Is a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United State; (Submit Form DD-214)
- Is a married student (Submit Marriage License);
- Is a graduate or professional student;
- Is a student who has legal dependents other than a spouse (Submit a copy of birth certificate(s); and third party personnel depositions attesting to support when dependent(s) do not live with the applicant, etc., or is/are not claimed by the student); or
- Is a student for whom a financial aid administrator determines and documents the student's independent status on the basis of unusual circumstances or professional discretion.
The October 1986 Higher Education Amendments changed the criteria used to determine a student applicant's dependency status. A student who does not meet the new Federal definition for independence is considered a dependent student and must submit his/her parent's income and asset information on applicable forms.
Dependent students must provide documents to verify their income for the applicable year and their parents' (or legal guardian's) income for the applicable year. To verify earned income, signed copies of students' and parents' most recent Federal Income Tax Return (1040) and all schedules must be submitted. Non-taxable income can be verified by submitting the appropriate agency letter for the applicable year. In addition, a Statement of No-File should be submitted by the student and parents if a 1040 was not filed by either for the applicable year.
It should be noted that the vast majority of financial resources described herein come from the federal government and are primarily directed toward American students. The University expects that international students will be capable of financing their entire educational expenses during their undergraduate matriculation. To avoid undue stress, a deposit of direct educational expenses (tuition, fees, room and board) for the initial year is required prior to registration.
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