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I am not able to provide parent information on my FAFSA and/or do not meet the requirements to be independent. Do I qualify for a Dependency Status/Unusual Circumstances Review (Dependency Override)?
If you cannot provide parent information on your FAFSA and do not meet the standard requirements for independent status, you may qualify for a Dependency Override under certain unusual circumstances.
When You May Qualify
Examples of unusual circumstances include:
- Your parents are incarcerated.
- You have left home due to an abusive family environment.
- You do not know where your parents are and cannot contact them (and you have not been adopted).
Situations That Do Not Qualify
The following reasons, alone or combined, are not grounds for a Dependency Override:
- Parent refuses to contribute to your education.
- Parent is unwilling to provide documentation for FAFSA or verification.
- Parent does not claim you on their tax return.
- You demonstrate total self-support.
How to Request a Dependency Status Review
Federal Financial Aid Regulations place the responsibility for meeting educational needs upon the parent; however, in unusual cases, a student may be able to provide sufficient documentation to be considered “Independent.” A written appeal, including supporting documentation, may be submitted to the Financial Aid Office anytime. In addition to your appeal, you must submit a Verification worksheet along with required financial information for the most recently completed tax year.
In your written appeal, you must address the following:
• Describe the last time you had contact with each of your parents—when, where, and under what conditions
• Provide the current location of both your parents
• Explain what unusual circumstance you believe makes you independent for FAFSA purposes
• Describe how you are currently supported: (a) how do you provide support for yourself? (b) are others responsible for your support and, if so, who? (c) when did this current arrangement of support begin?
In addition to your written appeal, you must provide the following:
• Letters of support from two responsible adults who are aware of your situation. At least one letter must be on letterhead from a guidance counselor, physician, teacher, social worker, caseworker, clergy person or other people directly involved with you in a professional capacity. All letters must be signed, dated and include contact information (phone, email, etc.) for follow up consultation.
• Legal documents, court records, death certificate or other official correspondence that supports your request may be substituted for one of the requirements mentioned in the above-bulleted item.
Please allow 2-4 weeks for a decision to be made and communicated to you via your KCTCS e-mail. If additional information is needed to complete this, we will also contact you via e-mail.
(Financial Aid > Applying for Aid)