Unusual Circumstances / Dependency Override Request
Dependency Status Review for Unusual Circumstances Form
Requesting a reconsideration of your dependent status through Dependency Override.
Your eligibility for financial aid is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which currently uses financial information from yourself and your parents if you do not meet any of the established independent statuses. We recognize that students can experience unusual circumstances in their households that may require additional consideration.
When these situations occur, it is possible to re-evaluate a student's aid eligibility based on their current circumstances through the Dependency Override process. All Dependency Override applications are required to have a detailed letter of explanation and supporting documentation. There must be unusual circumstances in the household to be considered for a Dependency Override.
Unusual circumstances do not include:
• Parents refuse to contribute to the student's education
• Parents will not provide information for the FAFSA or verification
• Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes
• Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency
It is very important to note that when it comes to dependency overrides, there is a distinction between parents who are unable to provide information and parents who are unwilling to complete a child's FAFSA. Unfortunately, many parents will refuse to complete their section of the FAFSA which prevents the student from receiving financial aid. Students can remind their parents that submitting their information on the FAFSA does not obligate them to pay for college. However, refusal to provide parental data on the FAFSA form will prevent the student from receiving financial aid. Sometimes a parent is concerned about the privacy of their tax data. Students can remind their parents that all financial aid information is confidential and protected under the Family Education and Privacy Act (FERPA).
The phrase "unusual circumstances" means a situation that makes it inappropriate to expect a parental contribution for the student. The following unusual circumstances may warrant a dependency override and include:
• Parents are deceased
• Parents are incarcerated or institutionalized
• The student comes from an abusive family
• Parents cannot be located
• The student has been abandoned
The Financial Aid Office understands that many students have unique family dynamics. Students are asked to contact the Office of Financial Aid to explain their special circumstances and to request a Dependency Override. This form must be completed by the student and submitted to the Financial Aid Office with all required supporting documentation. All information and documentation provided by the student is considered confidential. Please note that submission of a petition does not guarantee that a dependency override will be approved. Additionally, a dependency override performed at another school during the school year is not transferable to East Central.
Documentation Required for Dependency Override
In each case, the student must complete our Dependency Override Form as well as:
• Personal, detailed statement fully explaining the situation
• Two letters from third parties that verify and support the circumstances described in the personal statement
