You are an independent student if you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• age 24 by December 31 of the school year
• married
• in graduate school at the beginning of the school year
• providing more than half of the support for dependents who live with you
• a veteran
• on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training
• an orphan
• in foster care
• ward of court after turning 13
• emancipated minor or in legal guardianship
• unaccompanied homeless youth or at risk of being a homeless youth