Dependent vs. Independent Status

If you are considered an Independent Student, only your information (and your spouse's, if you are married) is used to calculate the Student Aid Index (SAI)/Expected Family Contribution (EFC). But, if you are a Dependent Student, your parents' income information is also used.

https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/dependency

Independent Student

You are considered an Independent Student if any one of the following applies to you:

• The 2024–25 FAFSA will ask if you were born before Jan. 1, 2001, or
• You are married, or
• You have legal dependents of your own, or
• You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, having served on active duty, or
• You are a ward of the court or both of your parents are deceased

If none of the conditions above apply, you are considered a Dependent Student and must provide information about your parents on your FAFSA.

Overriding Dependency Status

It may be possible to have your dependency status officially changed by the Financial Aid Office by filing a Dependency Override Petition.

There must be extenuating circumstances (such as a family situation involving abuse or other adverse circumstances) involved documented by a professional familiar with the situation in order to be considered. You can request a Change in Dependency Status HERE.

Request for Professional Judgement of Unusual Circumstances (2024-2025 Dependency Override Petition)

Please contact a Financial Aid Advisor lpcfinaid@laspositascollege.edu for details on how to proceed with the Request for Professional Judgement of Unusual Circumstances.

Students at risk of homelessness may be referred to a third party to provide them with immediate assistance: Cassondra Reinsel, Student Resources Program Manager, will go over the student’s unusual circumstances to provide them with support with additional services and resources.