To qualify for independent status, students must be financially independent of their parents, and meet the Department of Education's criteria of independence. A student is considered to be automatically independent if he or she:
- is at least 24 years old;
- is a veteran or member of the United States Armed Forces;
- is an orphan or ward of the court;
- has legal dependents other than a spouse;
- is married; or
- an emancipated minor or someone who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless