My dependent owes student loans can the come after me to satisfy dependents debt?

Probably none. Your liability for loans (other than student loans) taken out by your dependent depends on whether you co-sign your dependent 's loan or not, you can't be held liable for them. The only exception to this would be for Federal Parent PLUS loans. Federal Parent PLUS loans can be borrowed by the parent(s) of an undergraduate student to help pay for the student?s education and related costs. With a Federal Parent PLUS loan, the parent(s) is completely responsible for the loan and not the student, however there is no obligation for parents to take out a Federal Parent PLUS loan; it is simply an additional option in the Federal Student Loan Program offerings

The dependent is my girlfriend who lives with me all year and has no income I am the provider

as said non unles you co-signed your dependent 's, your GF, loan ; aslongas you cosign a student loan, you are the guarantor: you are putting your good credit profile on the line and telling the loan agency that you are responsible if anything ever happens with the primary borrower and they are unable to pay.