Va. Code § 23.1-501: Presumption of dependency for certain students

It shall be presumed that a student under the age of 24 on the date of the alleged entitlement receives substantial financial support from his parent or legal guardian and is therefore the dependent of his parent or legal guardian unless the student (i) is a veteran or an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States, (ii) is a graduate or professional student, (iii) is married, (iv) is a ward of the court or was a ward of the court until age 18, (v) has no adoptive parent or legal guardian and each of the student's parents is deceased, (vi) has legal dependents other than a spouse, or (vii) is able to present clear and convincing evidence that he is financially self-sufficient.1984, c. 422, § 23-7.4; 1985, cc. 179, 572; 1988, c. 124; 1989, c. 371; 1990, c. 680; 1991, c. 590; 1996, cc. 931, 981; 1999, c. 439; 2006, cc. 783, 797, 806; 2007, cc. 108, 491; 2008, c. 723; 2011, cc. 38, 44, 782, 860; 2013, cc. 139, 166, 243; 2014, c. 341; 2016, c. 588.