Special Circumstances

When filling out your FAFSA, the form asks you for you tax information for the previous year. Since you have submitted your tax information, your financial situation may have changed. Your parent(s) may have lost a job, incurred unexpected medical bills or other emergency expenses.

The Financial Aid Administrator at the school has the authority to change your EFC to make you eligible for more aid. This decision is up to him/her, and you will be asked to provide documentation regarding why your financial situation is different. The administrator's decision is final and it cannot be appealed though.

Another circumstance is when you are deemed a dependent student, but you believe you shouldn't have to include your parents' financial information. It's rare that exemptions, called dependency overrides, are given. Some reason that do not qualify for a dependency override are:

1. Parents refusing to contribute to the student's education;
2. Parents unwilling to provide information on the application or for verification;
3. Parents not claiming the students as a dependent for income tax purposes;
4. Student demonstrating total self-sufficiency.

If you feel that you qualify for a dependency override, you must talk to the Financial Aid Advisor at your school.