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Federal law allows financial aid administrators to exercise professional judgement when a student’s individual circumstances are not accurately reflected on the FAFSA. Professional judgement decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and require supporting documentation.

Professional judgement may be used to review:

Unusual Circumstances – Situations in which a student may qualify for a dependency override to be considered independent for FAFSA purposes.

Special Circumstances – Changes in a student’s or family’s financial situation that may affect eligibility for financial aid.

Please note that submitting a request and providing documentation does not guarantee that an adjustment will be approved or change your financial aid offer.

Unusual Circumstances

Most students under the age of 24 are considered dependent for financial aid purposes unless they meet one or more of the following criteria for independent student status.

A student is considered independent if they:

• Are 24 years of age or older;
• Are married;
• Are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces;
• Are currently serving on active duty for purposes other than training;
• Have legal dependents who receive more than half of their support;
• Were an orphan, in foster care, or a ward of the court after age 13;
• Were an emancipated minor or in a legal guardianship as determined by the court;
• Were determined to be unaccompanied homeless youth or self-supporting and at risk of homelessness.

Students who do not meet one of the above criteria but have an unusual circumstance may request a dependency override.

Examples of unusual circumstances include:

• Abandonment by parents;
• Physical, emotional, or psychological abuse;
• Parental incarceration;
• Parental incapacity due to mental illness or substance abuse; or
• Other documented circumstances that make it unreasonable to obtain parental information.

The following do NOT qualify for a dependency override:

• Parents refuse to contribute to educational expenses;
• Parents refuse to provide FAFSA information;
• Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for tax purposes;
• The student chooses not to live with their parents; or
• The student demonstrates financial self-sufficiency.

You will be asked to provide the following information in addition to the Dependency Override Form:

• Statements, on letterhead, from third-party professionals (such as clergy, social worker, attorneys, teachers, or a counselor) who are familiar with the situation;
• A letter of explanation of the situation from the student and others familiar with the family circumstances;
• Income information
  • Tax Return Transcript
  • W-2 Forms

Special Circumstances

Students who have experienced a change in their financial situation since completing the FAFSA may request a review for Special Circumstances.

Examples of Special Circumstances include:

• Loss of employment or reduction in income;
• Death of a parent or spouse;
• Divorce or separation;
• Excessive medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance;
• Other documented significant changes affecting the family’s ability to contribute toward educational expenses.

You will be asked to provide supporting documentation that pertains to your situation in addition to the Special Circumstances form.

Taking Classes at Another School (Consortium Agreement)

Students may take classes at another institution while maintaining enrollment at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ. Your financial aid will be processed through ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ, who would be considered your ‘home school’ and the other institution is considered the ‘host’ school. You must request approval to take classes as a transient student. If your request is approved, you will receive a letter of approval to earn credits as a transient student. The Financial Aid Office at the home school must have a copy of the transient approval letter before we can request a consortium agreement from the host school. The host school must confirm your enrollment before your financial aid can be processed through ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ. The student is responsible for making sure the host school’s tuition is paid with the financial aid processed by ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ.

Cooperative Programs

ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Community & Technical College participates in joint programs with other post-secondary schools. Students in these cooperative programs qualify for financial aid but may only receive aid from one school. In most cases, The Financial Aid OfficeÌýat ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ will process aid for students enrolled in cooperative programs. Students taking classes at another school must notify Student Services and they will determine which school processes financial aid. If ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ processes financial aid, they will need verification of enrollment at the other school. The student will be responsible for making certain that the other school is paid.

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