Unusual Circumstances/Dependency Overrides

Most students who are not considered independent by the standard criteria as determined by the FAFSA (i.e.: having a dependent, being a veteran, ward of the court, etc.) are required to input parent information on the FAFSA application. However, there may be certain extenuating situations in which a student could be determined to be independent, and parental information could be waived. These situations may include: inability to obtain parental information, parental abandonment, homelessness, human trafficking, refugee or asylee status or parent/student incarceration.

Under these situations, referred to as “Unusual Circumstances,” the FA Office may determine an otherwise dependent student to be independent. If you feel you may qualify for one of these situations, please email the SCC Financial Aid Office at: [email protected] to request additional information, and next steps (SCC will respond to all email inquiries within 3-5 business days).

A dependency override occurs when a financial aid administrator makes a determination of independent status for a student based on the student’s unusual circumstances. Independent status enables the student to complete federal student aid requirements without providing parent information.

A dependency override request does not guarantee approval and an approval does not necessarily mean that an adjustment will be made to a student’s aid offer.

Decisions are final and will be communicated directly to the student.

Examples of Unusual Circumstances Considered:

  • Victims of human trafficking
  • Refugee or asylee status
  • Parental abandonment or incarceration
  • Abusive family environment
  • Parents are incapacitated
  • Both parents became deceased after filing the FAFSA
  • Unaccompanied youth who is homeless or is self-supporting and at risk of being homeless

Examples of Unusual Circumstances NOT Considered:

  • Parent(s) do not claim the student as a dependent on their tax return
  • Parents are not helping the student pay for college
  • Parents are not willing to provide information
  • Student is no longer living with parent(s) (except in combination with an eligible circumstance above)

If you believe you have an unusual circumstance that impacts your dependency status, please email the SCC Financial Aid Office at: [email protected] to request additional information, and next steps (SCC will respond to all email inquiries within 3-5 business days).