How does Texas define a dependent for college scholarships?

I'm a junior from Texas and I'm trying to figure out what qualifies someone as a dependent when it comes to college scholarships here. Does anyone have insight into how this is determined in Texas?

In Texas, as well as other states in the U.S., the definition of a "dependent" for financial aid purposes typically aligns with the federal guidelines outlined by the U.S. Department of Education. These criteria look at a range of factors, but the main considerations include your age, your marital status, if you have dependents yourself, if you're a veteran or active duty military, if you're an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or at risk of being homeless, among others

In most cases, if you're under 24, not married, don't have dependents, are not serving in the military, and are not self-supporting for purposes other than education, you're generally considered a dependent for federal student aid purposes.

However, it's worth noting that determinations for dependency can often be quite complex and involve many detailed factors. It's always best to check with the financial aid and scholarship departments of the universities you are considering, as some colleges and scholarships might have additional requirements or separate criteria to determine dependent status. For example, some scholarships might require you to be claimed as a dependent on your parents' income tax return.

Keep in mind that being classified as a dependent will probably mean that your parents' incomes and assets will be taken into account when determining your financial aid eligibility. If you have unique circumstances, you might be able to appeal your dependency status, but this generally requires substantial documentation and should be discussed with a financial aid counselor.