Independent Student Status
Independent Students
The U.S. Congress, in passing the Higher Education Amendments of 1992, agreed upon a definition of an independent student, and those requirements are defined in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Specifically, Section 480(d) of the Higher Education Act, as amended, defines an independent student as someone who fits into one or more of these specific categories.
- Were you born before January 1, 1987?
- As of today, are you married? (Answer "Yes" if you are separated but not divorced.)
- At the beginning of the school year, will you be working on a master's or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, Ed D, or graduate certificate, etc.)?
- Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
- Are you a veteran of the U. S. Armed Forces?
- Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?
- Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you now and through June 30, 2011?
- At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court?
- Are you or were you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residency?
- Are you or were you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residency?
- At any time on or after July 1, 2009, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
- At any time on or after July 1, 2009, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
- At any time on or after July 1, 2009, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
Dependent Students
You are considered a dependent student if you answer "NO" to every question listed in the above section. If you are considered a dependent of your parents, you must report your parent’s income and assets as well as your own.
Unusual Circumstances/Dependency Overrides
In unusual circumstances, Congress has recognized that there are situations that warrant the professional judgment of the financial aid administrator based on additional documentation. Therefore, an appeal process has been developed to allow the student’s case to be reviewed in depth called a dependency override.
Should I submit a Dependency Override (appeal)?
By submitting an Appeal for Independent Status to the Golden West Financial Aid Office, you are asking us to relieve your parents of their responsibility of providing their financial information and contributing to your college expenses. Only extraordinary circumstances will make it reasonable for us to approve such an appeal. You must demonstrate that your ties to your family have been severed and that you are completely and totally self-supporting.
Here are some situations that are not considered extraordinary circumstances:
- A student’s decision to move out of his or her parent’s home does not make the student independent for financial aid purposes.
- A parent’s decision to request that the student move out of the parent’s home does not make the student independent for financial aid purposes.
- A parent’s unwillingness to provide parental data on the student’s financial aid forms is not a valid reason to grant independent status.
- A student’s unwillingness to seek financial assistance from his or her parents is not a valid reason to grant independent status.
- A student’s ability to pay his or her own educational expenses is not a valid reason to grant independent status.
- What type of situations, typically warrant an approval for independent status?
- Not living with your parents does not automatically classify you as independent.
Severe circumstances (usually documented) within your family that prevent you from obtaining parental financial information. Here are examples of extraordinary circumstances:
- An abusive home situation that is detrimental to your physical and/or mental well being.
- Death of a parent after filing the FAFSA and contacting the surviving parent would create a situation detrimental to your well being.
- Other extenuating circumstances, that prevents contact with your parents in order to obtain parental information for FAFSA filing.
- In each of the cases above, documentation from a third party such as a social service agency, court, minister, or counselor can document these circumstances. As such, the Golden West College Financial Aid Office will request documentation to verify your appeal.
How to request a Dependency Override (appeal)
- Pick up a Dependency Override Form in the Financial Aid Office
- Schedule an Appointment with the Director of Financial Aid.
- Complete, sign, and bring the Independent Student Status Appeal form to your appointment.
(Be sure to follow the instructions as indicated on the form. Appeals that are incomplete or lacking sufficient documentation will be denied.)
*Please allow 2-4 weeks for your appeal to be reviewed.
If you have any further questions regarding the Independent Student Status Appeal policy and procedures, you are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office at your earliest convenience.
Questions or Concerns? Call (714) 895-8394 during business hours.