Dependency Status

Unmarried students under age 24 are often required to provide parental data on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA. They are referred to as dependent students. However, dependent students with unusual circumstances may appeal to the Office of Financial Aid for a dependency override. A dependency override would allow the student to be considered an independent student (for federal student aid purposes only) and exempt the student from providing parental data on their FAFSA.

Personal Circumstance Questions to Determine Dependency Status on the 2026-27 FAFSA

To find out whether you're considered a dependent or independent student for federal student aid, review the personal circumstance questions listed here: FAFSA Dependency Guidelines

If you can answer "Yes" to one or more of the questions, you are considered an independent student for federal student aid purposes when filing the FAFSA.

Dependency Override Policy

Annually, and on a case-by-case basis, the Office of Financial Aid may approve a dependency override, which allows a student who would normally be considered dependent to be classified as independent. This means parental information would not be required on the FAFSA.

Qualifying Circumstances for a Dependency Override

Conditions that qualify for dependency override include students under the age of 24 who cannot rely on parental support from either parent because each parent meets one of the following criteria:

Parent is deceased.
Parent is incarcerated.
Unusual parental circumstances may include the following situations:
- Unknown whereabouts of parent
- Abusive family environment
- Abandonment by parent
- Student is a victim of human trafficking
- Student has refugee or asylee status and is separated from their parents, or their parents are displaced in a foreign country

Circumstances That Do Not Qualify for a Dependency Override

The following situations, alone or combined, do not qualify for dependency override:

Parents refuse to contribute to the student’s education.
Parents are unwilling to provide information on the FAFSA or for verification.
Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes.
Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency.

Please note: Students who are unaccompanied and homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless are encouraged to complete the Unaccompanied Homeless Verification process instead of the Dependency Status Appeal process.

Important Dates

Students may begin submitting materials as early as December, before the start of the next academic year.
To ensure processing and potential adjustments to aid, it is highly recommended to submit materials by April 1, before the end of the academic year, as forms cannot be accepted after the academic year ends or if the student is no longer enrolled. This allows time for reviewing documentation and, if applicable, awarding and applying aid.

How to Appeal Dependency Status

Complete the Dependency Status Appeal Form.
Gather supporting documentation.
Submit all materials to Enrollment Services.

Submitting a Dependency Status Form and supporting documentation does not guarantee approval for independent status. All applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. All information is kept confidential.

Supporting Documentation

Students are required to submit supporting documentation with their appeal. The supporting documentation will vary depending on the student’s unusual circumstances. Students must provide documentation for each parent. For the conditions which qualify for dependency override, the following items are requested:

Circumstance	Requested Documentation
Parent is deceased	A copy of the parent’s death certificate
Parent is incarcerated	Documentation that verifies the parent is incarcerated and lists the parent’s anticipated release date
Unusual parental circumstances	A signed statement from a third-party professional that knows the student’s current unusual parental circumstances

Signed statements from third-party professionals must document the student’s current unusual circumstances as they relate to the parent in question. If a written statement is required for both parents, one written statement from a third-party professional that documents the student’s unusual circumstances as they relate to both parents is acceptable.

Examples of third-party professionals whom the student has a professional relationship include teachers, counselors, medical authorities, members of the clergy, social workers, etc. Signed statements from third-party professionals should be submitted on company-issued letterhead and include appropriate contact information. The Office of Financial Aid reserves the right to contact third-party professionals who provide supporting documentation. For examples of professional documentation, please read the list below.

Someone whom you have a professional relationship can provide their professional perspective on your current relationship with your parents.
Letter from a current or former teacher who knows and understands what your current relationship with your parents is and why it may appear to be unreasonable or in your best interest to not be dependent upon them.
Letter from a counselor (school or wellness) who has counseled you and knows the relationship between you and your parents. They can provide their professional perspective as to what may be in your best interest.
Letter from members of the clergy who know and understand your current relationship with your parents. They would explain your relationship with your parents from their professional perspective and the advice given due to that relationship.
Letter from the social worker involved in your case, explaining the recommendations given that may be in your best interest.
Letter from your employer explaining the impact on your job due to the relationship with your parents or witness to activity by your parents.

If You Cannot Provide Documentation:

If you are unable to provide the supporting documentation requested above, please contact Enrollment Services to discuss your circumstances. Alternative documentation may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

FAFSA Filing Instructions

When completing your FAFSA online, you can indicate if you have unusual circumstances that prevent you from providing parental information. If you select this option, you will be able to submit your FAFSA without entering parent data.

Please note:

Your FAFSA application will be submitted, but not fully processed. You will need to contact Enrollment Services for the next steps in completing an unusual circumstance appeal (ex., Dependency Appeal).
You will be required to provide documentation to the Office of Financial Aid to determine if you qualify for a Dependency Override and can be considered an independent student.
- Third-party written evidence of your circumstances is required. Written evidence may include court or law enforcement documents; letters from a clergy member, school counselor, or social worker; and/or any other relevant data that explains your unusual circumstance.

Definitions

Unaccompanied—When a student is not living in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.
Homeless—Lacking fixed, regular, and adequate housing. For example, temporarily living with other people because they have nowhere else to go; living in substandard housing; living in emergency or transitional shelters (FEMA trailers after disasters); living in motels, camping grounds, cars, parks, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations, or any public place not designed for humans to live; or living in the school dormitory if the student would otherwise be homeless.
- Self-supporting—When a student pays for their own living expenses, including, fixed, regular, and adequate housing.
- At risk of being homeless—When a student’s housing may cease to be fixed, regular, and adequate, for example, a student who is being evicted and has been unable to find fixed, regular, and adequate housing.
- Fixed housing—Stationary, permanent, and not subject to change.
- Regular housing—Used on a predictable, routine, or consistent basis.
- Adequate housing—Sufficient for meeting both the physical and psychological needs typically met in the home.
Parent—A student’s biological or adoptive parent. A student’s stepparent, foster parent or legal guardian is not considered a parent unless they have adopted the student.

Renewal of Dependency Status Appeal

Dependency overrides for students with unusual circumstances are reviewed annually. If you received a dependency override in a previous aid year due to unusual circumstances, you may be eligible to renew your Independent Status—as long as your circumstances have not changed.

Renewal Process:

Eligible students will be assigned the Renewal of Dependency Status Appeal form in WINGS.
Once the form is submitted, the Office of Financial Aid will verify that you’ve affirmed your circumstances remain unchanged. If confirmed, a dependency override will be granted for the new aid year.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid

Dependency Status