Request for Independent Student Status
Most traditional college students are considered financially dependent on their parents. This means your parents must provide information on the FAFSA. In unusual circumstances, a student who would normally be considered dependent can be considered independent.
Do any of these situations apply to you?
- have no contact with your parents and do not know where they are (and you have not been adopted by someone else)
- have left home due to an abusive family environment (e.g., sexual, physical, or mental abuse)
- incarceration or institutionalization of parent(s)
- an unsuitable household (e.g., removed from the household and placed in foster care)
Next Steps:
If you believe that you have a compelling reason(s) to be considered independent, please complete the following steps:
- Prepare a signed personal letter with the circumstances surrounding your appeal stating your extenuating circumstances, what has caused you to become independent from your parents, when you became independent, and how you have provided for your own necessities (shelter, food, clothing, medical care, transportation). You are required to include the following documentation:
- The whereabouts of your biological/adoptive parents and their current living arrangements (if known). Include the last contact you had with your biological/adoptive parents and the frequency of contact with them over the past year(s).
- Your living arrangements over the past year(s). Include whom you have lived with and who has provided financial support for you.
- Obtain at least 2 notarized statements from individuals who are familiar with your circumstance who can attest to your situation. At least one letter must be from an individual to whom you are not related. These letters should provide as much detail as possible regarding your separation from your parents. Each letter must include the individual’s name, relation or title/position, address, and telephone number and must include a notarized signature.
- If the basis of the request is due to incarceration or institutionalization of parent(s) you may also submit legal documents showing proof of current incarceration or institutionalization in lieu of the notarized statements.
- Submit a Request for Independent Student Status, attaching your personal letter and notarized statements, for review and consideration.
- Upon receipt of a Request for Independent Student Status request, our Appeals Committee will review the documentation provided. If additional documentation is needed, our office will follow-up to request the documentation needed.
- Appeals are reviewed in the order received, and responses are sent as soon as possible after decisions have been reached through BearWeb, email or phone.