You may be counted as an independent student if you meet any of the following criteria:

• You are over the age of 24 by December 31st of this year
• You are married
• You have dependents (other than a spouse)
• You are a veteran or active duty member of the US Armed Forces
• At any time since you turned 13, both of your parents were deceased OR you were in foster care, OR you were dependent or ward of the court
• You are an emancipated minor
• At any time on or after this July 1st this year, you were determined to be a homeless youth or at risk of becoming homeless, as determined by the director of: a) your high school or district homeless liaison, b) an emergency or transitional shelter, c) a runaway of homeless youth basic center or program

If you meet the criteria to qualify as an independent student, you will skip some questions in this section, and the entire next section. You will be asked to provide additional information about yourself