Dependency Status for Financial Aid

While the term dependent refers to students who rely upon their parents for some or all of their support and the term independent refers to students who are financially self-supporting, the federal government has strict criteria to determine dependency status for purposes of financial aid.

Your dependency status is determined on the basis of the information provided on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Most undergraduate students at UCSC are considered "dependent". The federal critiera at the right are used to determine whether a student may may be considered "independent".

A Note About Dependency and California Residency Status

Your dependency status for financial aid may be different than your dependency status for tax purposes or for determining whether you qualify as a California resident for tuition and fee purposes. The Registrar's Office determines California Residency for this purpose.