Is a 24 year old considered independent on the FAFSA?

A student age 24 or older by Dec. 31 of the award year is considered independent for federal financial aid purposes. Steps for Being Independent on the FAFSA An independent student meets certain legal requirements to receive federal financial aid to pay for college based on the student's ability to pay.

Who qualifies as an independent student on the FAFSA?

Qualifying as in independent student on the FAFSA is not easy. Undergraduate students who are under age 24 as of December 31 of the award year are considered to be independent for federal student aid purposes. Students are considered independent on the FAFSA if they meet any of the following: • They are married. • They have dependents.

Should I file the FAFSA as an independent student?

Filing the FAFSA as an independent student can greatly change your financial aid package. If you support yourself financially, you probably feel that your financial aid should not be based on your parents’ income. The process for filing as an independent can be tricky for students under 24.