Independent vs. Dependent Student: Which Are You?

Your first step to getting financial aid is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — but you’ll fill it out a little differently depending on whether you’re an independent vs. dependent student. This is because your dependency status determines if you’ll include information from both you and your parents, or yours alone.

Here’s what you need to know about independent vs. dependent students:

Independent vs. dependent students

Dependent students are assumed to receive support from their parents while independent students are assumed to support themselves. Your dependency status is important because it affects what information you’ll include on the FAFSA.

• If you're a dependent student, you must report information from both you and your parents.
• If you're an independent student, you have to report only your own information (and your spouse’s, if you’re married).

Independent students make up 53% of all FAFSA completions for both undergraduate and graduate-level students, according to 2021-22 FAFSA data. For undergraduate college applicants alone, most students tend to be dependent.

Learn More: How does FAFSA work?

You’re considered an independent student if …

When filling out the FAFSA for the 2024-25 school year, you’re considered an independent student if any of the following applies:

• You were born before Jan. 1, 2001.
• You’re married.
• You’re working on either a master’s or doctorate degree.
• You have children or other dependents who receive at least half their financial support from you.
• You’re currently serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces.
• You’re a veteran.
• Your parents are deceased.
• You’ve spent time in foster care or as a ward of the court.
• You’re an emancipated minor.
• You’re an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or at risk of being homeless.

If none of the above applies, the Department of Education considers you to be a dependent student. This is true even if you don’t live with your parents or receive any financial support from them, though in some circumstances you can submit additional documentation to prove your independence. 

If you’re an undergraduate dependent student (as most undergraduates are), you might qualify for either Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans. You might also be able to get private student loans to help fill any gaps.

What to do if you have a special circumstance

There are circumstances that could prevent you from including your parents’ information on the FAFSA. Here are some common scenarios and what to do for each of them:

1. If you’re a U.S. citizen, but your parents are undocumented

If you’re a U.S. citizen, you qualify for all possible federal financial aid — your parents’ status doesn’t affect your eligibility. If your parents are concerned about filling out the FAFSA, you should know that the form doesn’t ask about their citizenship status at all.

If they don’t have Social Security numbers, enter all zeros in those fields. Your parents won’t be able to sign the FAFSA electronically, since a valid Social Security number is needed to create an FSA ID. Instead, you can print out the completed FAFSA, sign it by hand, and mail it in.

2. If you have no contact with your parents

Even if you live with other family members or on your own because your parents kicked you out or were abusive, you still need to include your parents’ information on the FAFSA. If that’s not an option, you can indicate on the FAFSA that an unusual circumstance makes getting your parents’ information impossible. 

To complete your application, submit the FAFSA and contact your school’s financial aid office to see what other supporting documentation you’ll need to provide. An advisor will review your situation and determine if you're eligible to file the FAFSA as an independent student. 

You may qualify for other special circumstances if:

• Your parents are incarcerated.
• You don’t know where your parents are and haven’t been adopted.
• You've been granted refugee or asylum status.
• You’re over 21, but not over 24 and are unaccompanied while homeless or at risk of being homeless.

3. If your parents are unwilling to help you

If your parents simply won’t provide you with the necessary information, you may not be eligible for an independent status — but there are other ways your school's financial aid office can help you.

On the FAFSA, indicate that you're unable to provide information from your parents. After submitting the form, contact the financial aid office right away to see what your option are. If you don't qualify for independent status, the financial aid advisor could still help you access additional loan funding without your parents' help.

If your dependency status changes

If circumstances that would affect your dependency status change after you’ve completed the FAFSA, reach out to your school’s financial aid office as soon as possible. Your school will let you know if it’s possible to update your dependency status and what your options are. 

In some cases, you could be eligible for additional unsubsidized student loans. Or they might be able to direct you to other resources, such as scholarships, grants, or private student loans.

Independent vs. dependent student FAQ

Find questions to your most frequently asked questions about independent vs. dependent students. 

Is it better to be independent or dependent on FAFSA?

Independent students are typically eligible for more federal financial aid than dependent students, depending on the situation. If you can qualify as independent, it likely makes sense to file the FAFSA under that status. 

Will I get more money as a dependent or independent student?

The amount of aid you receive is determined by your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), the school’s cost of attendance, status as a full-time or part-time student, and your year in school. 

Note that an independent student’s EFC is calculated using the student and spouse’s financial information. In many cases, independent students have a lower EFC than dependent students and may receive more financial aid. 

How much do independent students get from FAFSA?

Independent undergraduate students can borrow up to $57,500 in subsidized and unsubsidized loans, but no more than $23,000 can be in subsidized loans. Graduate independent students can borrow up to $138,500 in subsidized and unsubsidized loans, but no more than $65,000 can be in subsidized loans. 

Note that the total graduate loan limit for independent students includes all undergraduate federal loans received.

Should I put my parents' info on my FAFSA if I'm independent?

If you're an independent student as per FAFSA guidelines, you don't need to include your parents' information on your FAFSA form. However, you'll need to provide your own financial information and your spouse’s if you’re married.