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[FAFSA®] Am I considered a dependent or independent? Is this the same as dependency status on taxes?

Your FAFSA® dependency status is separate from your tax dependency status.

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Written by Eleanna Garcia
Updated over a week ago

Your FAFSA® dependency status is separate from your tax dependency status. So you can be considered one way on your taxes, and another way for the FAFSA®.

On the FAFSA®, you are considered “independent” if you are

  • at least 24 years old;

  • married;

  • a graduate/ professional student;

  • a veteran;

  • a member of the armed forces;

  • an orphan;

  • a ward of the court;

  • an emancipated minor;

  • or someone who is or at risk of being homeless.

  • You are also considered “independent” if you have a legal guardian who is not a parent, or if you legally support a non-spouse dependent (like a child of yours).

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