Dependency Appeal
In situations as listed below, you may be able to submit your FAFSA® form without parent information despite being considered a dependent student:
What if I’m unable to provide parent information due to special circumstances?
- You have left home due to an abusive family environment.
- You do not know where your parents are and are unable to contact them (and you have not been adopted).
- You initially submitted your FAFSA® as single, but now you are married
- You are older than 21 but not yet 24, are unaccompanied, and are either homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless.
- Your parents are incarcerated.
Not all situations are considered special circumstances. The following are situations that would NOT be considered a special circumstance:
- Your parents do not want to provide their information on your FAFSA®; or
- Your parents refuse to contribute to your college expenses; or
- Your parents do not claim you as a dependent on their income taxes; or
- You do not live with your parents; or
- You demonstrate total self-sufficiency.
Family Contribution Appeal
Request an adjustment to the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which resulted from your FAFSA®.
- Financial changes between the base year and current year
- Recent unemployment of student or a family member
- Unusually high medical or educational expenses
- One time disbursement of a 401K or investment funds
- A divorce or separation has occurred after your FAFSA® was submitted
- Other
Cost of Attendance Appeal
Request an adjustment to increase your Cost of Attendance (COA) budget due to exceptional costs.
- Medical, prescription, or dental expenses paid during the current academic year
- Elementary and Secondary private school tuition for a dependent child
- Unusually high dependent care expenses
- Unusually high childcare expenses
- Transportation expenses that exceed those allowed in the budget
- Purchase of a personal computer required for educational purposes