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FAFSA Dependency
Status Calculator

Find out whether you're a dependent or independent student for FAFSA — and whether your parents' finances need to be included.

✓ 10 questions
✓ Under 2 minutes
✓ Based on official FAFSA criteria
Why this matters:
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Dependent students must include parental financial information — even if parents don't support them.
✅
Independent students file based on their own income and assets only — potentially qualifying for more aid.
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Simply living on your own or being cut off financially does NOT make you independent on FAFSA.
Source: U.S. Department of Education FAFSA 2026–27 dependency criteria