In which circumstance might a student be considered a dependent for financial aid purposes?

A student may be considered a dependent for financial aid purposes if they reside with their parents during the school year. The determination of dependency status for federal financial aid hinges on specific criteria outlined by the U.S. Department of Education. One key factor in assessing dependency is whether the student lives with a parent or guardian.

In this context, residing with parents indicates that the student may still rely on them for financial support, thereby making the parents' information relevant for financial aid considerations. The dependency status affects the expected family contribution (EFC), influencing how aid is calculated and what type of aid the student may qualify for.

While age and marital status are factors in determining dependency, they alone do not guarantee that a student is classified as dependent. For instance, simply being under 24 years old does not automatically classify a student as dependent; there are other conditions that can allow independent status, such as being married, having dependents of their own, or serving in the military. Therefore, the student's living situation is a critical determinant of their dependency status.