Dependency Status and Financial Aid

Summary

How to determine FAFSA dependency status 

Dependency Requirements

The Department of Education provides a list of questions to determine whether you need to include your parents' income on your FAFSA. You can find the list on the Federal Student Aid website through the links below. 

Will I need my parents' information? (2025–26)

Will I need my parents' information? (2026–27) 

If you answer "yes" to one of the questions, you do not have to include your parents' income on your FAFSA (which begins with the Fall 2024 semester).

If you cannot answer "Yes" to at least one question, then you're required to provide your parents' tax information on your FAFSA.

If you can't answer yes to any of those questions and can't obtain your parents' information, you may want to contact our Financial Aid Office directly about the possibility of applying for a student loan.

Dependency Override

If obtaining your parents' tax information is detrimental to your well-being, you can apply for a "dependency override." To do so, you must submit a letter to the Financial Aid Office stating it would be detrimental to your well-being to obtain your parents' tax information. You must also submit letters from two professionals, such as police or social workers, stating that it would be detrimental to your well-being.

If you have a dependency override, you'll be eligible for Pell and other grants.

Key Words: FAFSA, dependency, dependency status, dependent, parents, tax, dependency override, unsubsidized loan