Most traditional college students are considered financially dependent on their parents. This means your parents must provide information on the FAFSA. In unusual circumstances, a student who would normally be considered dependent can be considered independent.

Do any of these situations apply to you?

• have no contact with your parents and do not know where they are (and you have not been adopted by someone else)
• have left home due to an abusive family environment (e.g., sexual, physical, or mental abuse or other forms of domestic violence)
• incarceration or institutionalization of parent(s)
• an unsuitable household (e.g., child removed from the household and placed in foster care)

If you believe that you have compelling and unique reasons to be considered independent, please contact our office at scholarships@baylor.edu.