Are you a high school student living independently from your parents? The new FAFSA makes it easier for students without parental support to complete the form and get college financial aid.
But it’s important to know the rules and what colleges may need from you to get financial aid without your parents’ help.
First, get an overview of the FAFSA by reading our guide:
Need to know if you are eligible to file your FAFSA as an independent student? Read pages 12-15 in our guide and get more detailed information below.
As a high school student, there is an expectation on the FAFSA that you are financially dependent on your parents. If you are a dependent student, your parents will need to help you fill out your FAFSA.
But there are a number of ways you may be considered independent from your parents. The FAFSA breaks them down into different types of “circumstances” and will ask you about them at the beginning of your form. See if any of the following “circumstances” apply to you.
You qualify as legally independent on the FAFSA if at any time on or after July 1, 2023 you were “unaccompanied” (not in your parents’ care) and are either A) homeless or B) self-supporting and at risk of being homeless. This is a big change from prior years. The new FAFSA law requires that colleges work with you in a supportive way to make it as easy as possible for you to prove your independence. See what proof you will need below.
This option is for students who have circumstances preventing them from contacting their parents or for students for whom it would be risky to contact their parents. In the past, this group of students was required to get a “dependency override” from the college they hoped to attend. The new FAFSA makes it easier to file the FAFSA independently in these cases by automatically granting you “provisional independence” on the FAFSA. But you will still need to make your case to the college you hope to attend.
A lot of these circumstances overlap. You may be experiencing any number of tough situations with your parents.
If possible, it is best to seek independence from your parents by checking a situation under “personal circumstances” or “other circumstances.” In these cases, your status as an independent student is legally protected and there are clear rules about proving your independence that financial aid officers must follow.
In the case of “unusual circumstances,” financial aid officers may use their own professional judgment to determine if your case is legitimate or not. We hope these officers will be sympathetic and offer you the help that you need, but when possible it is always best to have the law on your side.
First, submit your FAFSA answering the questions truthfully. If your responses meet FAFSA’s eligibility criteria you will be granted independent status immediately and allowed to complete the FAFSA without your parents’ help.
Once you have been accepted to a college, watch your email. A college financial aid officer may ask for documentation or proof of your independent status from your high school or an agency that is familiar with your family or housing situation.
What will the colleges ask for? This will depend on your personal circumstances or housing situation. There are a range of documents colleges may ask for. Your college’s financial aid administrators should give you clear instructions. And don’t hesitate to ask questions if the questions are unclear. College administrators are legally obligated to help you out.
That said, it’s important to know that colleges make the final decision about your claim of independence. You will need to work closely with your college financial aid officer to get the help and financial aid you need.
Pro Tip: Don’t wait until a college asks for proof of your circumstances. Start gathering your documentation now so you’re prepared to send it out as soon as you receive the request.
The new FAFSA recognizes the unique challenges faced by students experiencing homelessness. The FAFSA Simplification Act explicitly states that financial aid officers must do their best to help unaccompanied students (not in the care of their parents) who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
The new law also states that renewal applicants who were determined to be unaccompanied homeless youth in the prior year are eligible to have their status carried forward to the new school year if their circumstances remain unchanged and they are enrolled at the same institution. Schools may ask students if their circumstances have changed, but they’re not supposed to require students to prove their claim all over again.
However, financial aid officers may request additional documentation from you if there is conflicting information that the college needs to resolve to process your financial aid application.
(And many colleges may ask for proof of your circumstances no matter what, even though they are not supposed to under the new law. Here is an important government document to share with colleges that may not be caught up on the law.)
If you’re applying for financial aid for the first time, you may need to establish your claim of homelessness with a “determination letter” or other proof from an authority vouching for you. There are a variety of people and organizations that can help:
Don’t know where to start? Reach out to the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend. They are required to help you gather the proof you need.
SchoolHouse Connection offers lots of financial aid advice and sample forms and letters for students experiencing homelessness. This website is a must-read before completing the FAFSA.
Since these determinations are made by individual schools, there is a chance that your claim may be denied by some schools and accepted by others.
If your claim of independence is denied by one college and not another, contact the financial aid office at the school that denied your claim and politely ask why. Explain your situation and ask if there is additional proof or documentation needed. Also show the officer that other colleges have accepted your claim of independence.
If your claim for independence is not accepted by any school, you and your parents will need to update your FAFSA form. One or both of your parents will need to contribute information to your form. If you don’t do this, you will not be considered for any government financial aid including work study. You’ll only be eligible for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans.
If you are seeking independent status as a high school student, it’s important to study up. Check out these articles, webinars, and online resources:
Help With the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Youth Homelessness: This page features just about everything you will need to know about filling out the FAFSA and securing the financial aid you deserve.
Federal Student Aid April Guidance Letter on Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Determinations: This document explains the new law in clear, official terms. You may want to share this with adults who are helping you with the FAFSA or college financial aid administrators who may not know your rights under the FAFSA Simplification Act.
LATEST UPDATE: January 17, 2024
EDITED BY: Laura Zingmond and Kim Nauer
Joshua Renner grew up in a small town in Ohio and graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in architecture and is attending The New School to get his master’s degree. His latest question: Students in rural towns and in queer communities can feel isolated. How do we get them the resources they need to attend higher education?