What is EOC?
VSAC’s Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) provides adults with college and training access services, including help with career exploration, education and funding options, and assistance with financial aid applications.
Schedule a free appointment: Adult EOC outreach counselors are available statewide. Call and ask for Outreach:
- 655-9602 in the Burlington area
- 786-8840 in the Rutland area
- 800-642-3177, statewide
| College and training |
| Financial aid information Dependent Questionnaire |
| Career exploration |
Questions to Determine Dependency Status for 2013–2014 academic year
You are considered an independent student if you answer “yes” to at least one of the questions below.
| 1. | Were you born before January 1, 1990? | Yes | No |
| 2. | As of today, are you married? Answer “yes" if you are separated, but not divorced. | Yes | No |
| 3. | At the beginning of the 2013–2014 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate)? | Yes | No |
| 4. | Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training? | Yes | No |
| 5. | Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces? | Yes | No |
| 6. | Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2013, and June 30, 2014? | Yes | No |
| 7. | Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2014? | Yes | No |
| 8. | At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care, or were you a dependent or ward of the court? For question 8, answer “yes" if at any time since you turned age 13:
The financial aid administrator at your school may require you to provide proof that you were in foster care or that you were a dependent or ward of the court. | Yes | No |
| 9. | As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you an emancipated minor? | Yes | No |
| 10. | As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you in legal guardianship? | Yes | No |
For questions 11—13:
| “Homeless" means lacking fixed, regular, and adequate housing, which includes living in shelters, motels, or cars, or living temporarily with other people because you had nowhere else to go. | |||
| “Unaccompanied" means you are not living in the physical custody of your parent or guardian. | |||
| “Youth" means you are 21 years of age or younger, or you are still enrolled in high school as of the day you sign this application. | |||
| 11. | At any time on or after July 1, 2012, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless? | Yes | No |
| 12. | At any time on or after July 1, 2012, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless? | Yes | No |
| 13. | At any time on or after July 1, 2012, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless? | Yes | No |
For students unable to provide parental information
Under very limited circumstances (for example, if your parents are incarcerated, if you have left home due to an abusive family environment, or if you do not know where your parents are and are unable to contact them), you may be able to submit your FAFSA without parental information. If you are unable to provide parental information, submit your FAFSA without parental data. You must follow up with the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend in order to complete your FAFSA.
