FinAid: Independent Student Status Documentation Form

Hidden Form Name
Office of Student Financial Aid
Division of Student Enrollment, Engagement & Services
2002 Rollins Hall ● Norfolk, VA 23529-0052 ● Telephone: (757) 683-3683 ● Fax: (757) 683-5920
Independent Student Status Documentation Form
When you completed the 2024-2025 FAFSA application, you answered “YES” to one of the questions listed below. Please check the appropriate box that applies to your situation and submit this form AND attach the required documentation listed below. ODU cannot continue processing your financial aid until documentation is submitted to support your statement.
Aid Year *
Student Name Student Name * First Middle Last
Student UIN (Do not enter MIDAS login) *
Must be 8 characters. Currently Entered: 0 characters.
Student Phone Student Phone - ### - ### ####
Student Email *
At any time since the student turned 13, they were an orphan (no living biological or adoptive parent).
Required Documentation—Death certificates for deceased parents and student’s birth certificate, or court document showing you were in foster care or a ward of the court and when.
At any time since the student turned 13, they were a ward of the court.
Required Documentation—Court document from your state of legal residence showing ward of the court and when.
At any time since the student turned 13, they were in foster care.
Required Documentation—Court document showing you were in foster care and when.
The student is or was a legally emancipated minor, as determined by a court in their state of residence.
Required Documentation—Court document from your state of legal residence where you were emancipated.
The student is or was in a legal guardianship with someone other than their parent or stepparent, as determined by a court in their state of residence.
Required Documentation—Court document from your state of legal residence where you were placed under legal guardianship of another person. Note - Student cannot be considered independent where Joint legal custody/guardianship is with the biological parent.
At any time on or after July 1, 2023, was the student unaccompanied and either (1) homeless or (2) self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

If the answer is “Yes,” did any of the following organizations and/or professionals determine the student was homeless or at risk of becoming homeless?
• Director or designee of an emergency or transitional shelter, street outreach program, homeless youth drop-in center, or other program serving those experiencing homelessness
• The student’s high school or school district homeless liaison or designee
• Director or designee of a project supported by a federal TRIO or GEAR UP program grant
• Financial aid administrator (FAA)

At any time on or after July 1, 2023, was the student unaccompanied and either (1) homeless or (2) self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

If the answer is “Yes,” did any of the following organizations and/or professionals determine the student was homeless or at risk of becoming homeless?
• Director or designee of an emergency or transitional shelter, street outreach program, homeless youth drop-in center, or other program serving those experiencing homelessness
• The student’s high school or school district homeless liaison or designee
• Director or designee of a project supported by a federal TRIO or GEAR UP program grant
• Financial aid administrator (FAA)
YES NO
Unaccompanied Homeless Youth:
If YES: Select ONLY ONE option of how you will be submitting proof of your dependency status to the ODU Office of Student Financial Aid.

Unaccompanied Homeless Youth:
If YES: Select ONLY ONE option of how you will be submitting proof of your dependency status to the ODU Office of Student Financial Aid. I will submit proof of my dependency status from A McKinney‐Vento School District Liaison to the Financial Aid office. Under subtitle VII‐B of the McKinney‐Vento Homeless Assistance Act, every school district is required to designate a liaison for students experiencing homelessness. Homeless liaisons have a number of legal responsibilities under the Act, including identifying youth who meet the definition of homeless and are unaccompanied. The education subtitle of the McKinney‐Vento Act is overseen by the U.S. Department of Education. For more information go to: http://www.ed.gov/programs/homeless/legislation.html I will submit proof of my dependency status from A Director or Designee of a HUD-funded shelter to the Financial Aid Office. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers funding for homeless shelters and services under Title IV of the McKinney‐Vento Act. These funds are distributed to communities through a competitive Grant process. For more information go to: https://www.hudexchange.info/grantees/contacts/ I will submit proof of my dependency status from A Director or Designee of RHYA-funded shelter to the Financial Aid Office. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services administers the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act programs. These programs provide funding for Basic Centers, Transitional Living Programs, and Street Outreach Programs that serve runaway and other unaccompanied youth. For more information, go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/programs/runaway-homeless-youth If third party documentation is not available, a documented interview conducted by a Financial Aid counselor is sufficient to confirm that a student qualifies as independent. Please visit the Office of Financial Aid so a documented review can be made, and visit the National Center for Homeless Education website for more information: https://nche.ed.gov/higher-education/
**An interview with a Financial Aid Counselor is REQUIRED. CLICK HERE to complete the Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Determination Form. Please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at (757)683-3683 to schedule the interview.**
NONE of these apply. I incorrectly marked one of these conditions on my FAFSA. As a result, I understand that I am likely dependent and will be required to provide parental information. Student should log on the www.studentaid.gov website and add parent information and signatures.
Please upload supporting documentation below:

NOTE: Acceptable formats are limited to PDF and JPG ONLY. Be sure to include Student UIN and Last Name in the document name (ex. 01234567 Doe_TaxTranscripts.pdf).
Upload a File

Attach Files
Student's Signature *

Draw or Type

I understand this is a legal representation of my signature.
By signing this worksheet, I certify that all information reported on this worksheet is complete under penalty of perjury. Clear

Full Name

I understand this is a legal representation of my signature.
By signing this worksheet, I certify that all information reported on this worksheet is complete under penalty of perjury.
Date Date / MM / DD YYYY
PLEASE ALLOW 3-4 WEEKS FOR PROCESSING/REVIEW.
Old Dominion University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply
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FinAid: Independent Student Status Documentation Form

**An interview with a Financial Aid Counselor is REQUIRED. CLICK HERE to complete the Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Determination Form. Please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at (757)683-3683 to schedule the interview.**

Please upload supporting documentation below:

Section Break

An interview with a Financial Aid Counselor is REQUIRED. CLICK HERE to complete the Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Determination Form. Please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at (757)683-3683 to schedule the interview.