ASSET-DACA Student Status Questions

How to Answer the Status Questions on the Application

The questions on the Alternate Aid Form are based on the concept that it is primarily your and your family’s responsibility to pay for your education. A dependent student is assumed to have the support of parents, so we assess the parents’ information with the student’s to gain a full picture of your family’s financial strength.

If you are a dependent student, it does not mean your parents' are required to pay money toward your education; this is just a way of looking at everyone in a consistent manner. If you answer no to all the student status questions, please plan to have your parents’ tax information available when completing the application. If you answer yes to one or more of the questions, please plan to provide tax information for you, and your spouse (if applicable).

Will you be 24 or older by December 31 of the school year for which you are completing the Alternate Aid Form?
Will you be working toward a master’s or doctorate degree (such as MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD)?
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 (other than children or a spouse) who live with you and receive more than half of their support from you?

Answer yes if at any time since you turned age 13:

You had no living parent, even if you are now adopted
You were in foster care, even if you are no longer in foster care today
You were a dependent or ward of the court, even if you are no longer a dependent or ward of the court today. Someone who is incarcerated is not considered a ward of the court. If you're not sure if you were in foster care, check with your state child welfare agency

The definition of legal guardianship does not include your parents, even if they were appointed by a court to be your guardians. You are also not considered a legal guardian of yourself.

Answer “Yes” if you are an emancipated minor or are in legal guardianship. Also answer “Yes” if you were an emancipated minor or were in legal guardianship immediately before you reached the age of being an adult in your state.

The court must be located in your state of legal residence at the time the court’s decision was issued. Answer “No” if you are still a minor and the court decision is no longer in effect or the court decision was not in effect at the time you became an adult.

Answer “Yes” if you received a determination at any time on or after July 1, of the school year prior to which you are completing the application, that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or at risk of being homeless.

“Homeless” means lacking fixed, regular and adequate housing. You may be homeless if you are living in shelters, parks, motels, hotels, public spaces, camping grounds, cars, abandoned buildings, or temporarily living with other people because you have nowhere else to go. If you are living in any of these situations and fleeing an abusive parent, you may be considered homeless even if your parent would otherwise provide a place to live.

“Unaccompanied” means you are not living in the physical custody of your parent or guardian. Answer “No” if you are not homeless or at risk of being homeless.

Answer “Yes” if you are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee who is on active duty for other than state or training purposes.

Answer “No” if you are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee who is on active duty for state or training purposes.

Answer “Yes” if you

Have engaged in active duty (including basic training) in the United States Armed Forces, or are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee who was called to active duty for other than state or training purposes, or were a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies
Were released under a condition other than dishonorable

Also answer “Yes” if you are not a veteran now but will be one by June 30, of the year of the year for which you are completing the application.

Answer “No” if you:

Have never engaged in active duty (including basic training) in the United States Armed Forces
Are currently an ROTC student or a cadet or midshipman at a service academy
Are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee activated only for state or training purposes
Were engaged in active duty in the United States Armed Forces but released under dishonorable conditions

Also answer “No” if you are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces and will continue to serve through June 30, of the year of the year for which you are completing the application.

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ASSET-DACA Student Status Questions

How to Answer the Status Questions on the Application

Financial Aid & Scholarships Office

ASSET-DACA Student Status Questions

How to Answer the Status Questions on the Application

General Questions

At any time since you turned age 13, were both of your parents deceased, were you in foster care, or were you a ward or dependent of the court?

Are you an emancipated minor or are you in a legal guardianship as determined by a court?

Are you an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces for purposes other than training?

Are you a veteran of the United States Armed Forces?

Financial Aid & Scholarships Office