Verification of Dependency Status & Appeal

You responded "yes" to a dependency status question on your fafsa. In order to determine your financial aid eligibility, you are required to verify your independent status by submitting supporting documentation. In order to verify your status, please complete the form below as it applies to you.

First Name*

Last Name*

Student ID/LoLA ID Number*

Birthdate*

MonthDayYear

Email Address*

Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Alt. Phone Number

Please enter a valid phone number.

Select the appropriate FAFSA Aid Year. Note: you must have a FAFSA on file prior to completing this form.*

2024-2025 (August 2024 - July 2025)2025-2026 (August 2025- July 2026)

Check the status that applies to you.

Dependent / Ward of Court: At age 13 or older, I was a dependent or ward of court.Foster Care: At age 13 or older, I was in foster care.Emancipated Minor: I am or was an emancipated minor as determined by a court.Legal Guardian: I am or was in legal guardianship as determined by a court.Orphan: At age 13 or older, both of my parents deceased.Unaccompanied Homeless Youth On or After July 1, 2022: unaccompanied and homeless, OR (2) unaccompanied, self-supporting, and at risk of homelessness. (see description below for terminology)None of These Apply

Check the status that applies to you.

Dependent / Ward of Court: At age 13 or older, I was a dependent or ward of court.Foster Care: At age 13 or older, I was in foster care.Emancipated Minor: I am or was an emancipated minor as determined by a court.Legal Guardian: I am or was in legal guardianship as determined by a court.Orphan: At age 13 or older, both of my parents deceased.Unaccompanied Homeless Youth On or After July 1, 2023: unaccompanied and homeless, OR (2) unaccompanied, self-supporting, and at risk of homelessness. (see description below for terminology)None of These Apply

The FAFSA Simplication Act includes new requirements for Financial Aid Administrators to accept or make determinations of a youth's status as (1) unacommpanied and homeless, or (2) unaccompanied, self-supporting, and at risk of homelessness. Youth who meet these definitions are included in the Act's definition of "independent student" and do not need parental information to complete the FAFSA.

Outlined below are some initial terms that support a homeless youth determination:

Unaccompanied - when a student is not living in the physical custody of a parent or guardian
Homeless- lacking fixed, regular, and adequate housing
At risk of being homeless- when a student's housing may cease to be fixed, regular, and adequate, for example, a student who is being evicted or has been asked to leave their current residence and has been unable to find fixed, regular, and adequate housing
Self-supporting- when a student pays for his or her own living expenses, which includes paying for fixed, regular, and adequate housing

Identify which supporting documentation you can provide:

School district homeless liaisons or their designeeThe director or a designee of a director of an emergency or transitional shelter, street outreach program, homeless youth drop-in center, or other program serving individuals who are experiencing homelessnessThe director or a designee of a director of a program funded under a TRIO or Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for an Undergraduate program ("GEAR UP") grantA financial aid administrator at another institution who previously made a determinationOther

Attach the court orders.

Attach an obituary, death certificate, or other proof of both parents.

Attach a copy of your birth certificate.

Provide supporting documentation based on your selection above. If you selected "Other", provide(upload) a written statement.

According to federal regulations, dependent students must use natural or adoptive parent's information only when completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). On a case-by-case basis, the Financial Aid Office may make a professional judgment and waive the submission for dependent students.

By law, the following conditions do NOT qualify as "unusual circumstances" or do not merit a dependency override:

Parents refusing to contribute to a student's education
Parents unwilling to provide information on the application or for verification
Parents not claiming the student as a dependent for income tax purposes
Students demonstrating self-sufficiency
Student not living with their parents

Are you able to provide supporting documentation to support your circumstance?

Yes (NOTE: Blank pictures/documents are not sufficient supporting documentation.)No

You must electronically submit a correction to your 2024-2025 FAFSA application and add your parent's information including their electronic signature.

You must electronically submit a correction to your 2023-2024 FAFSA application and add your parent's information including their electronic signature.

Write a statement explaining why are your requesting a dependency override. Be sure to include (1) information on both parents, (2) who are you are currently residing with, and (3) how you were financially supported in 2023.

Write a statement explaining why are your requesting a dependency override. Be sure to include (1) information on both parents, (2) who are you are currently residing with, and (3) how you were financially supported in 2022.

Independent Source #1 - Attach letter from independent source using source's official letterhead. An independent resource may be a teacher, the AFDC agency, a social worker, a psychologist, a minister, a counselor, the organization with which you lived in 2023, or some other official source who can verify your independent status.

Independent Source #1 - Attach letter from independent source using source's official letterhead. An independent resource may be a teacher, the AFDC agency, a social worker, a psychologist, a minister, a counselor, the organization with which you lived in 2022, or some other official source who can verify your independent status.

Independent Source #2 - Attach letter from independent source using source's official letterhead. An independent resource may be a teacher, the AFDC agency, a social worker, a psychologist, a minister, a counselor, the organization with which you lived in 2023, or some other official source who can verify your independent status.

Independent Source #2 - Attach letter from independent source using source's official letterhead. An independent resource may be a teacher, the AFDC agency, a social worker, a psychologist, a minister, a counselor, the organization with which you lived in 2022, or some other official source who can verify your independent status.

We're not ready yet. Check back June 1, 2024 to submit your request for the 2024-2025 aid year.

I, First Name* Last Name* (student), certify that this information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. Additionally, I understand that I am responsible for returning all student financial aid monies received due to inaccurate, false, or misleading information provided on this form and/or any other documents submitted.