Dependency status
Dependency impacts both the funding available (subsidised and unsubsidised, PLUS) and has a subsequent impact on the amount of money that could be awarded to students or their parents.
A student's dependency status is determined from information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which is verified on the Student Aid Report (SAR) provided. It also affects the amount and method used to calculate the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
Independent
For the purposes of US Federal Student Aid, a student is considered independent if he or she meets one or more of the following criteria:
- is at least 24 years old by 31 December of the award year
- is an orphan or ward/dependent of the court, or was a ward/dependent of the court until he or she reached age 18
- is a veteran of the US Armed Forces
- is working on a master's or doctorate program at the beginning of the award year for which the FAFSA is completed
- is married as of the date the FAFSA is completed
- has at least one child who receives more than half of his or her support from the student
- has a dependent, other than a spouse or a child, who lives with the student and receives more than half of his or her support from the student at the time the FAFSA is completed and through 30 June of the award year
Dependent
The student is considered dependent if he or she does not meet any of the preceding criteria for an independent student unless the financial aid administrator determines that the student is independent on the basis of special circumstances and performs a dependency override.
How to apply for dependency override
If you believe that you are eligible for a dependency override, please review the information to applicants on the Dependency Override Request Form, complete the application and submit it along with the supporting documentation to the UTS Financial aid office for review.
