Am I considered a dependent or independent student?

Dependent Student Criteria

If none of the criteria listed below apply to you, you may be considered a dependent student and required to provide your parents’ financial information.

  • Will you be 24 or older by Dec 31?
  • Will you be working toward your master’s or doctorate degree?
  • Are you married or separated but not divorced?
  • Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?
  • Do you have dependents who live with you and receive more than half of their support from you?
  • At any time since the age 13 were both of your parents deceased, were you in foster care, or were you a ward or dependent or legal guardianship of the court?
  • Are you an emancipated minor?
  • Are you an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or self-supporting at the risk of being homeless?
  • Are you currently serving on active duty in the US armed forces for purposes other than training?
  • Are you a veteran of the US armed forces?
Independent Student Criteria

If you answer yes to any of the questions below, then you may be an independent student. You may not be required to provide parental information.

  • Will you be 24 or older by Dec 31?
  • Will you be working toward your master’s or doctorate degree?
  • Are you married or separated but not divorced?
  • Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?
  • Do you have dependents who live with you and receive more than half of their support from you?
  • At any time since the age 13 were both of your parents deceased, were you in foster care, or were you a ward or dependent or legal guardianship of the court?
  • Are you an emancipated minor?
  • Are you an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or self-supporting at the risk of being homeless?
  • Are you currently serving on active duty in the US armed forces for purposes other than training?
  • Are you a veteran of the US armed forces?

2024-25

2023-2024

Completed Forms

Completed forms may be dropped off:

WSCO Financial Aid office
Faxed to: 740.376.0257
Mailed to: 710 Colegate Dr., Marietta, OH 45750
Emailed to: finaid@wscc.edu