Independent Status Documentation

Students who are independent for one of the reasons below are required to submit documentation to verify their status. Refer to your email and submit the appropriate document. See list below

Status and Document Needed

Orphan

Death Certificates: Submit copies for both of your parents to verify that you had no living parents (biological or adoptive) at any time since you turned age 13.
Foster Care

Court Order: Submit a copy of court order or a letter from your social worker on official county letterhead to verify your foster status.
Emancipation

Court Judgment: Submit a copy of court judgment for legal emancipation.
Legal Guardianship

Court Order: Submit a copy of court order of legal guardianship.
Ward of the Court

Court Order: Submit a copy of your court order or a letter from your social worker confirming your status, including start and end dates.

Note: A ward of the State based solely on incarceration is not considered a Ward of the Court for federal financial aid purposes.
Homeless Shelter

Determination Document: Submit a determination document from the Director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development verifying you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless.
Transitional Living

Determination Document: Submit a determination document from the Director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program who determined you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or was self-supporting and at risk of being homeless.
Homeless Youth

Determination Document: Submit a determination document from your high school or school district's homeless liaison verifying your homeless youth status.