Unusual Circumstances & Dependency Override
Students who cannot answer yes to any of the dependency questions on the FAFSA may be able to appeal their dependency status if they have unusual or extenuating circumstances. If a Dependency Override is granted due to unusual circumstances, eligibility for federal aid is then based solely on the student's income.
To have a Dependency Override approved, there must be unusual circumstances that prevent the student from providing parental information on the FAFSA. A parent's refusal to provide information on the FAFSA, or the fact that a student is self-supporting, in and of themselves, are not reasons for which a dependency override can be granted.
Disclaimer: Appeals or Dependency Overrides granted to students by other colleges do not apply to Millersville. The student must go through Millersville's appeal process to be granted independence at Millersville.
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What is an unusual or extenuating circumstance?
Dependency Overrides can only be granted if an unusual circumstance exists.
In reviewing Dependency Override requests, the committee is looking for evidence that it is not reasonable to expect the student to seek out information from their parents because it would be unsafe, unhealthy, or the parents are inaccessible.
Examples of extenuating circumstances include:
- Physical or sexual abuse
- Abandonment by both parents
- History of neglect due to parental alcohol or drug abuse
- Incarceration of the custodial parent
- Other circumstances which prevent the student from having contact with the parents
Disclaimer: A parent's refusal to provide information on the FAFSA, or the fact that a student is self-supporting, in and of themselves, are not reasons for which a dependency override can be granted. -
How do I complete a Dependency Override request?
There are several steps to the Dependency Override process. Please follow the steps below:
- Start by completing the FAFSA online at studentaid.gov/fafsa
- When asked to provide parental information, check the box that says you are unable to do so. This will result in an incomplete FAFSA, pending the approval of the dependency override.
- Contact the Office of Financial Aid to discuss your unusual circumstances and request a Dependency Override. You can send an email to fa.mail@millersville.edu and briefly explain your circumstances or schedule an appointment with a counselor: millersville.edu/fameeting.
- A staff member from the Office of Financial Aid will add a requirement for a Dependency Override to your account, which will direct you to the appropriate form to complete. Make sure you do not leave anything blank and you sign and date the form.
- Submit a detailed letter explaining the extenuating circumstances that prevent you from providing parental data and describe your separation from your parents.
- The committee reviewing your request will not know anything about you or your situation other than what they see on paper. Open up and be willing to write about your extenuating circumstances so that the persons reviewing your request can understand the need for a change to your dependency status.
- Submit at least two letters from two individuals who can confirm your situation.
- The letters must be from a third party who does not have a direct relationship with the student. This must be a professional individual such as a counselor, social worker, teacher, clergy, police, etc.
- Each letter must be on official letterhead, signed, and include the individual's name, title, and position.
- Provide a signed copy of your latest federal tax return and W-2 forms.
- If you did not file a tax return and/or did not work, you may be required to complete a separate form which will be sent to you if necessary.
- Provide any additional supporting documentation.
- Supporting documentation can include, but is not limited to, a police report, court documents, death certificates, etc..
- Start by completing the FAFSA online at studentaid.gov/fafsa
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Do I have to complete a Dependency Override every year?
Starting in 2023-24 if a dependency override is approved the independent status will roll forward for subsequent years.
Students still must complete their FAFSA annually and may receive a rejection notification from the US Department of Education, however, once Millersville receives the FAFSA we will use the previously approved appeal to review aid eligibility for the new year.
The only time a 2nd appeal may be required is if the student informs us their circumstances have changed, or we receive conflicting information.
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What are my options if my request was denied?
If a student is denied the appeal and wants to receive aid for the academic year, they can:
- update their FAFSA with parental information and resubmit the FAFSA with parent signatures
- request a Parent Refusal to Complete FAFSA Affidavit form. Please note this form must be signed by the parents. This request would result in the student only being eligible to receive a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan at the amounts for which dependent students are eligible.