Unusual Circumstance (Dependency Status)

Federal regulations require that all students under the age of 24 be considered a dependent of the parent(s) for the purposes of financial aid.  To learn more on the federal criteria for dependency and Unusual Circumstances visit studentaid.gov.

Students who do not meet the federal criteria are considered dependent for financial aid purposes. The following situations will not be considered Unusual Circumstances:

• 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

Students who believe they may qualify should contact our office directly for additional information.

Review Process

Unusual Circumstances are determined on a case-by-case basis to otherwise dependent students who can demonstrate a complete and total breakdown of the parental relationship. This situation must be documented.

Once the student has provided all necessary documentation, they will receive a confirmation of approval or denial of the decision to the student’s email.