B. Verification of Eligibility of Students for Other Assistance Programs

1. Verification of student’s independence from parents.

   • a. Review and verify previous address information to determine evidence of separate household from parents or legal guardians. or

   • b. Verify the student meet’s the U.S. Department of Education’s definition of independent student.

   • c. Review prior year income tax returns to verify if a parent or guardian has claimed the student as a dependent (except if the student meets the Department of Education’s definition of independent student.)

   • d. Verify income provided by a parent by requiring a written certification from the individual providing the support. Certification is also required if the parent(s) is not providing support to the student. Financial assistance that is provided by persons not living in the unit is part of annual income.

   • e. Verify the amount of financial assistance the student receives from other sources. (See paragraph 5-6 D and Exhibit 5-1 for financial assistance excluded from annual income.)

2. Owners should also verify the following, if applicable.

   • a. Age (See paragraph 3-28 C and Appendix 3)

   • b. Institution of Higher Education. (See the Glossary for the definition of Institution of Higher Education)

HUD Occupancy Handbook Chapter 3: Eligibility for Assistance and Occupancy

06/07

3-81

4350.3 REV-1

Exhibits