Dependency Appeal

The Unusual Circumstances Appeal - Dependency Appeal, triggers a request a review of a student's dependency status for financial aid purposes. This appeal is available beginning June 15, 2026, and is expected to take approximately eight weeks for review.

Understanding Dependency Status

Federal financial aid regulations determine whether a student is considered dependent or independent.

• Dependent students must report parent information on the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application.
• Independent students report only their own information (and spouse information, if married).

Students may qualify for a dependency status review if they are unable to provide parent information due to unusual or extenuating circumstances.

Circumstances That May Be Considered

Examples may include:

• Estrangement from parents.
• Abandonment.
• Abuse.
• Unsafe family environment.
• Other documented unusual circumstances.

Who Should Submit This Appeal 

This appeal should be completed by students who were granted “Provisionally Independent” status on the FAFSA, or students requesting a review of their dependency status due to unusual circumstances 

Ineligible Circumstances

Federal regulations do not allow dependency overrides solely due to:

• Parents refusal to contribute to educational expenses.
• Parents refusal to provide FAFSA information.
• Parents do not claim the student on taxes.
• The student demonstrates financial self-sufficiency alone.

Documentation from third parties may be required.