Student Financial Services
Questions 55-60 on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Documentation for verifying Independent Status
If you answer 'yes' to any of these questions, documentation will be required to validate your response.
55. When you were age 13 or older, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent/ward of the court?
Need: Copy of death certificates or court’s decision
56. As of today, are you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
Need: Copy of court’s decision if still in effect. If not in effect, student must answer ‘no’.
57. As of today, are you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
Need: Copy of court’s decision if still in effect. If not in effect, student must answer ‘no’.
DEFINITIONS
Homeless means lacking fixed, regular and adequate housing, which includes living in shelters, motels or cars, or temporarily living with other people because you had nowhere else to go.
Unaccompanied means you are not living in the physical custody of your parent or guardian.
Youth means you are 21 years of age or younger or you are still enrolled in high school as of the day you sign the FAFSA.
58. At any time on or after July 1, 2008, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
Need: Letter from authorized high school personnel or school district homeless liaison (letterhead).
59. At any time on or after July 1, 2008, did the director of an emergency shelter program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
Need: Documentation from the shelter (letterhead).
60. At any time on or after July 1, 2008, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center of transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless.
Need: Letter from the director (letterhead).
