Unusual Circumstances

What makes a student Dependent or Independent?

• Born before January 1, 2000 (2023-24 FAFSA) or January 1, 2001 for (2024-25 FAFSA)
• Married as of the date FAFSA signed
• Have children who receive more than half their support from the student, OR have legal dependents, other than a spouse or children, who live with student and receive more than half their support from the student
• Attending graduate level program of study during the academic year
• Veteran of U.S. Armed Forces (or will be a veteran), or have attended a service academy and were released under a condition other than dishonorable
• Currently serving on active duty in U.S. Armed Forces (other than for training)
• Emancipated Minor or in Legal Guardianship as determined by the court in her/his state of legal residence
• Orphan, ward of the court, foster care (after age 13)
• A self-supporting unaccompanied youth who is homeless or at risk of homelessness (as certified by governmental or school agency)

A student who does not meet ANY of the above classifications is classified as a Dependent student.

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Appealing your FAFSA Dependency Status

Some student situations will require extra discretion in determining the student’s ability to provide parental information on the FAFSA. Our office provides the opportunity for students to appeal their FAFSA Dependency Status by submitting documentation of your situation. A dependency override occurs when a financial aid administrator exercises professional judgment and overrides the Department of Education’s criteria for dependent students. You must clearly demonstrate an adverse family situation in order to be considered independent for financial aid purposes. 

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• What conditions COULD warrant a Dependency Override?

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  The following are some examples of conditions that could warrant a Dependency Override:

  • Documented abandonment
  • Parental drug use
  • Parental mental incapacity
  • Physical or emotional abuse
  • Severe estrangement from parents
  • Parental incarceration

• What conditions DO NOT warrant a Dependency Override?

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  By federal law, the following conditions DO NOT warrant a Dependency Override:

  • Parents refuse to provide information on the FAFSA application or for verification
  • Parents do not claim student as dependent for income tax purposes
  • Parents unwilling or unable to contribute to student’s education
  • Student demonstrates self-sufficiency
  • Student reluctant to request the income information from parents
  • Student does not wish to communicate with parents

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Documenting Your Circumstances

Documentation is critical to the dependency override process. The documentation must support the decision and should, in almost all cases, originate from a third party that knows your situation (e.g., a teacher, counselor, medical professional, member of the clergy, corrections officer, social worker, or court liaison) and establish the unusual circumstances. Evidence can be a signed letter or an official document, such as a court order. If third party documentation is not available, in very rare circumstances we may accept signed and dated statements from friends and family members detailing the unusual circumstances.

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Applying for a Dependency Status Petition

You should complete this form if you are considered a dependent student for federal financial aid and believe you have compelling extenuating circumstances which should allow you to be considered an independent student. We understand the sensitive nature of these circumstances; all documentation received by our office will be kept confidential.

Return the completed form below along with the following to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships:

• Written documentation from appropriate persons and/or agencies confirming the specifics as identified via the petition
• a signed copy of your federal income tax return and all W2s, OR paystubs and W2s if you earned income but did not file
  
  • For 2024-2025 provide the 2022 tax return and W2’s

To apply for Fall 2024 – Summer 2025, please complete the 2024-2025 Dependency Status Petition. 

Please note that submitting a petition does not guarantee an approval of the appeal. There is also no guarantee an approved appeal will result in more or different types of aid awarded to the student.

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• Review of Unusual Circumstances

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  Each person will be reviewed on a case by case basis by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. Professional judgment will be exercised in determining if an unusual or extenuating circumstance exists and if adequate documentation has been provided. An official notification of the decision will be sent to the student and the financial aid office will make necessary corrections to the students FAFSA on behalf of the student.

• Denied Appeals

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  A student whose Dependency Override appeal is denied will have to report his/her parents' personal, tax and income information on the FAFSA. The decision to approve or deny a dependency override is made by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, not the U.S. Department of Education, and is not appealable to an outside entity.

• Parental Refusal

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  In very limited situations, a student who cannot provide parental information and does not meet the criteria for a Dependency Override may receive Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan funds at dependent undergraduate levels. Speak to a financial aid counselor to determine whether you are able to qualify for this exception. If so, a Parent Refusal form will be required.

  Please note that submitting a petition does not guarantee an approval of the appeal. There is also no guarantee an approved appeal will result in more or different types of aid awarded to the student.

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