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Financial Aid and Student Employment

Helpful Tips

Applying for financial aid can be confusing and time consuming. If you have questions about anything in the process, just ask us. We're here to help!

Dependency status:

To qualify as an independent student, you must meet one of the following criteria:

  • You were 23 years old on or before Jan 1st.
  • You are married.
  • You have legal dependents.
  • You are an orphan or a ward of the court, or a ward of the court until age 18.
  • You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.
  • You are active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces.
  • You will be enrolled in a graduate or professional program (beyond a bachelor's degree) during the upcoming academic year.

FAFSA tips:

  • Complete your tax return early. Filing a FAFSA with estimated tax return data may require submission of tax return and a verification form.
  • If you are a dependent student, ask your parents to complete their tax return early; however, if it is not complete by March 1st you should estimate the information on the FAFSA.

Worksheet C items include:

Some income reported on the FAFSA is also reported on Worksheet C. These items will not count against you as income.

  • Education credits (Hope and Lifetime Learning tax credits).
  • Child support paid out.
  • Taxable earnings from need based work study.
  • Grant and scholarship aid reported as income on your federal tax return.

Untaxed income includes:

  • Earned Income Credit (EIC).
  • Child support recieved.
  • Military housing for you or your spouse.
  • Military housing for your parents if you are a dependent student.
  • Untaxed income from combat pay, if you file taxes.
  • Room and board from the Housing Village, if you lived there as an R.A. or Conference Assistant.
  • Room and board from the Olympic Training Center, if you lived there.
  • Housing cost if you or either of your parents is a clergy member and housing is a part of the ministry.
  • All other items reported on Worksheet B of the FAFSA.

Third party payments:

  • Third party payments are non-financial aid payments that reimburse the student for the cost of school. If you have financial aid and receive a third party payment it could reduce the amount of aid that you can receive.
  • These payments typically come from employers and the military, however there are other sources. Examples include: VA, VEAP, ROTC, VOC Rehabilitation or National Guard, employer JTPA, etc.
  • Please report third party payments on your loan application. If you are not borrowing a loan, report third party payments to the Financial Aid Office.
  • Third party payments are handled in the Bursar's office. Please see the Bursar's office if you have questions.

Stafford Loan borrowers: