VERIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT STATUS

EDWARD WATERS UNIVERSITY

2025-2026
VERIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT STATUS

Your independent status is based on your answers to the dependency questions on the FAFSA. You are required to submit legal documentation to verify your status. Additional information may be requested. Please check the box in Step 1 that best represents your situation and submit the required documentation. We will not be able to process an award for you until the documentation and form has been fully completed, received and processed in our office.
NOTE: If none of these situations apply to you because you answered the question incorrectly on the FAFSA,please correct your FAFSA online and provide parent information. This may change your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and your eligibility for financial aid. For all questions, contact finaid@ew.edu or 904-470-8190.
Student Name:
EWU Student ID:
STEP 1:

Determine the circumstances that make you independent, check the corresponding box and submit this form and supporting documentation to the Office of Financial Aid. Check the applicable box for circumstances that apply at any time on or after July 1, 2024.
A. Emancipated Minor/Legal Guardianship
Attach a copy of a court’s decision that you are or were an emancipated minor.

Cancelof
Attach a copy of a court’s decision that you are or were an emancipated minor.

Cancelof
Attach a copy of a court’s decision that you are or were in legal guardianship.

Cancelof
Attach a typed letter written by you detailing your circumstances.

Cancelof
B. Orphan, Ward of the Court or Foster Care Form
Attach a copy of your birth certificate, along with a copy of each parent’s death certificate

Cancelof
Attach a typed letter written by you detailing your circumstances

Cancelof
Attach a letter from your social worker confirming that you were a dependent of the court, or a letter stating that you are a participant in the Living Skills Program (ILSP) or other court document showing that you were removed from your home because it posed a direct threat to your well-being.

Cancelof
Attach a typed letter written by you detailing your circumstances

Cancelof
C. Unaccompanied Youth/Homeless
Submit official documentation from your high school district homeless liaison documenting this determination.

Cancelof
Attach a typed letter written by you detailing your circumstance.

Cancelof
Submit official documentation from the director of the shelter or housing program documenting this determination.

Cancelof
Attach a typed letter written by you detailing your circumstances.

Cancelof
Submit official documentation from the director of the basic center or transitional living program documenting this determination

Cancelof
Attach a typed letter written by you detailing YOUR circumstances.

Cancelof
D. Support Children/Other Dependents
Submit a letter including their names, ages, relationship, where they live

Cancelof
Please explain in your letter how you support the children.

Cancelof
Submit a letter including their names, ages, relationship.

Cancelof
Please explain in your letter how you support these individuals.

Cancelof
E. U.S. ARMED FORCES ACTIVE DUTY/VETERAN
Submit a copy of your military orders or a letter from your commanding officer to verify your status

Cancelof
Submit a copy of your DD214 showing your release status

Cancelof
F. Professional Judgment
Submit a letter explaining your current situation and how you support yourself

Cancelof
Submit one letter from a family member or friend supporting your circumstances

Cancelof
Submit a letter on letterhead from a professional person supporting your circumstances. This could be a clergy, high school guidance counselor, teacher, youth organization member.

Cancelof

EDWARD WATERS UNIVERSITY

STEP 1:

A. Emancipated Minor/Legal Guardianship

B. Orphan, Ward of the Court or Foster Care Form

C. Unaccompanied Youth/Homeless

D. Support Children/Other Dependents

E. U.S. ARMED FORCES ACTIVE DUTY/VETERAN

F. Professional Judgment

STEP 2: Certification Statement

Your signature on this document confirms your acknowledgement of the following: