If you don’t meet the federal criteria for independent status on your FAFSA but feel you have unusual circumstances that would qualify you, you can request a dependency override. If you were approved for an override during a previous aid year, request a renewal instead.
Unusual circumstances that may qualify you include an abusive family environment or being abandoned by your parents.
The following do not count as circumstances that will qualify you for a dependency override:
- Your parents refuse to contribute to your education
- Your parents are unwilling to provide information on the FAFSA or for verification
- Your parents don’t claim you as a dependent for income tax purposes
- You demonstrate total self-sufficiency
Dependency override forms
Please contact the Office of Student Financial Services at finaid@iufw.edu with questions or to request these forms in an accessible format.
2022-23 aid year (fall 2022-summer 2023)
2023-2024 aid year (fall 2023 – summer 2024)
If your family’s financial status has changed since you filed your FAFSA or if you had an expense that was not considered as part of the FAFSA, you may be able to file a special circumstance appeal.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) change
If your family will be contributing less to your education than expected when you filed your FAFSA, you may be able to reduce your EFC. The following items may be taken into consideration:
- Your parent’s enrollment in a postsecondary education program
- An involuntary decrease in income
- Loss of one-time or nonrecurring income
- You (or your parent, if you’re a dependent student) were separated, divorced, or widowed since filing the FAFSA
If you already have an EFC of zero, you shouldn’t submit an appeal for an EFC change since it cannot be decreased further.
Cost of attendance (COA) change
Certain types of expenses can increase your COA. If you had any of the following expenses not accounted for when you filed your FAFSA, you may be able to have your COA increased:
- Vehicle repair or mileage expenses
- Computer purchase
- Dependent care allowance
- Professional licensure exams (graduate students only)
- Other reasonable education-related expenses
Be aware that an increase in your COA won’t necessarily allow for an increase in the amount of financial aid you’re awarded. For example, if you’ve already been awarded the annual maximum in Federal Direct Loan funding, you won’t be eligible for an increase in this funding due to federal annual loan limits. However, you may be able to get a private loan or a Federal Direct Parent/Grad PLUS loan up to your new COA.
Other situations
If you feel you have a special circumstance that isn’t covered by the EFC or COA change, contact the Office of Student Financial Services for assistance.
Special circumstance appeal forms
Please contact the Office of Student Financial Services at finaid@iufw.edu with questions or to request these forms in an accessible format.
2022–23 aid year (fall 2022–summer 2023)
2023-2024 aid year (fall 2023 – summer 2024)
