Dependency Overrides

Students who are under the age of 24 and answer "NO" to all the questions on Step 3 of the FAFSA are required to provide parent information on the application. If a student has an unusual situation that prevents him/her from obtaining parental information, it may be possible for the Financial Aid Office to do a dependency overide that allows the student to apply for aid as though he/she was an independent student.

The following circumstances must exist in order to obtain a dependency override:

1. All contact with both parents must have been completely severed.
2. The reason for the severed contact must be extraordinary and beyond the student's control. This usually involves situations of abandonment or abuse, in which the student's welfare would be placed in jeopardy if contact were initiated.
3. The situation must be documented. Three letters are required; one from the student explaining the circumstances, and two others from individuals who have worked with the student and know of his/her situation. At least one of these letters must be from a professional, such as a school counselor, psychologist, instructor, clergy member, attorney or court caseworker. Court records may also be used to document a student's situation.

Students who feel that their circumstances warrant a dependency override, should submit a Petition For Independent Status form, along with the required documentation and their completed FAFSA, to the Financial Aid Office. The FAFSA should not be mailed by the student. The Financial Aid Office will submit the application if the dependency override is approved or return it to the student if the override is denied.