For the purposes of receiving
Federal Student Aid in the United States, a person is considered financially independent if any of the following apply:
You are:
Age 23 or older
Working on a degree higher than a BA or BS.
Married
Have children or other dependents
An orphan or ward of the court (or were until age 18)
A veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
Information found on the 2001 - 2002 FAFSA form