University of Nebraska Kearney

 Dependent vs. Independent? 

This page is designed to help you determine if you need to complete the FAFSA and subsequent verification process as a dependent or independent student. Answer the questions below to find out. Once you press the 'Submit' button below, your responses to these questions will direct you to the web page with the correct set of document requests.

Q1. No Yes   Were you born before January 1, 1989?

Q2. No Yes As of today, are you married? (Also answer "Yes" if you are separated but not divorced.)

Q3. No Yes At the beginning of the 2012–2013 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, graduate certificate, etc.)?

Q5. No Yes Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?

Q6. No Yes Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013?

Q7. No Yes Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2013?

Q8. No Yes At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court?

Q9. No Yes As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you an emancipated minor?

Q10. No Yes As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you in legal guardianship?

Q11. No Yes At any time on or after July 1, 2011, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?

Q12. No Yes At any time on or after July 1, 2011, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?

Q13. No Yes At any time on or after July 1, 2011, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

Once you press this submit button you will be directed to a listing of documents required to complete the verification process. Turn in these documents to the UNK Office of Financial Aid only if they have been requested by this office. 

Financial Aid Home Page