A student's status affects which loans and funding he or she may be eligible to receive. Independent students include any of the following: 24 years or older by December 31 of the award year; married; graduate or professional student; students with legal dependents other than a spouse for whom half support is provided; orphan or ward of the court; veteran of the U.S. military; homelessness. Dependent students: rely on their parent(s) for support and who do not meet the federal criteria of a self-supporting student.