Review the circumstances below and provide the required documentation to confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements to be considered an independent student.
| Eligible Categories | Required Documentation |
|---|---|
As of the day I completed my 2023-2024 FAFSA, I was married. |
Copy of your marriage certificate for proof of your marital status. |
I am a veteran of the United States Armed Forces. |
Copy of your DD214 "Member 4 Copy" with the discharge status at the bottom of the document. |
I am currently on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. |
Copy of your Military ID. |
At the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, I will be enrolled in a Master's or Doctoral degree-seeking program (MA, MFA, MS, MSE, MBA, JD, Ed.D, or graduate certificate). |
A statement indicating the program in which you will be enrolled. |
I have children who will receive more than half of their support from me between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. |
Complete the Provide Over Fifty Percent Dependent Support Confirmation form. If pregnant, attach a copy of the doctor's letter showing an anticipated due date. |
I have dependents (other than my children and spouse) who live with me and who receive more than half of their support from me, now and through June 30, 2024. |
Complete the Provide Over Fifty Percent of Dependent Support Confirmation form. |
| I was (until age 18) a ward/ dependent of the court, or I was in foster care since the age of 13. | If you are a ward of the court, submit a copy of court documents. If you were in foster care since the age of 13, attach a copy of legal documentation from the proper legal authority. |
| I am or I was an emancipated minor as determined by the court in my state of legal residence. | Copy of legal documents from the court of your state of legal residence. The court must be located in your state of legal residence at the time the court's decision was issued. |
| I am or I was in legal guardianship as determined by the court in my state of legal residence. | Copy of legal documents from the court of your state of legal residence. The court must be located in your state of legal residence at the time the court's decision was issued. |
| At any time on or after July 1, 2023, I will be/was determined to be an unaccompanied youth who was homeless. | Homeless means lacking fixed, regular and adequate housing, which includes living in shelters, motels, or cars, or temporarily living with other people because you had nowhere else to go. Unaccompanied means you are not living in the physical custody of your parent or guardian. Youth means you are 21 years of age or younger or you are still enrolled in high school as of the day you signed the 2022-2023 Free Application for Student aid (FAFSA). If you meet these definitions, provide a statement with a signature from one of the following individuals to confirm your status:
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If none of these above categories apply to you, you are a dependent student. You must provide parent information on your financial aid applications or if there are special circumstances in your family, you may submit a letter of appeal to LMU Financial Aid requesting a dependency override. You will need to submit documentation to verify the reasons that you are not able to provide parent information. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions (under "Appeals and Special Circumstances") for details on filing a dependency override appeal.