Dependency status
Dependent or independent - and which SAI formula you use.
Your dependency status decides whose income and assets the FAFSA counts and which of the three SAI formulas applies. You are independent if you are 24 or older, married, a graduate student, a veteran/active-duty, support dependents, or meet a few other criteria; otherwise you are dependent and must report parent information - even if you live on your own. Dependent students use Formula A, independent students without dependents use Formula B, and independent students with dependents use Formula C.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, 2026-27 SAI and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide. Data as of June 2026.
Who is independent?
You are an independent student for 2026-27 if any of these are true:
- You are 24 or older by January 1 of the award year.
- You are married or separated (but not divorced).
- You are working on a master's or doctoral degree.
- You are a veteran or on active duty (other than training).
- You have children or dependents who get more than half their support from you.
- You were an orphan, ward of the court, or in foster care after age 13.
- You are an emancipated minor or in legal guardianship.
- You are unaccompanied and homeless, or at risk of homelessness.
If none apply, you are a dependent student and report parent information.
Status to formula
| Status | Formula | Whose data counts |
|---|---|---|
| Dependent | A | Parents + student |
| Independent, no dependents | B | Student (and spouse) |
| Independent with dependents | C | Student (and spouse), larger allowances |
Run the matching formula in the SAI calculator by selecting your status.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a student independent on the FAFSA?
You are independent if you are 24 or older, married, a graduate student, a veteran or active-duty military, have dependents you support, are an orphan or ward of the court, are an emancipated minor, or are unaccompanied and homeless. Otherwise you are dependent and must report parent information.
Can I skip parent info if I'm financially independent?
Not just because you support yourself. Federal dependency is defined by the questions above, not by whether your parents help you. If none apply, you are dependent for FAFSA purposes even if you live on your own.
Which SAI formula does each status use?
Dependent students use Formula A (parent + student data). Independent students with no dependents use Formula B (student/spouse only). Independent students with dependents use Formula C (student/spouse with larger allowances).
Sources
U.S. Dept. of Education, 2026-27 SAI and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide. Data as of June 2026 for 2026-27. General information, not financial-aid advice. Verify at studentaid.gov.
Last updated: 2026-06-22