SOWELA Technical Community College
3820 Sen. J. Bennett Johnston Ave.
Lake Charles, LA 70615
337-421-6545-Phone
337-491-2663-Fax
onestop@sowela.ed
u-Email
2020-2021 Dependency Override Request
(Note: Incomplete dependency override requests will NOT be accepted)
Student Name: ______________________________________________ Student ID#:_____________________________________
Student Mailing Address: __________________________________ ___ T
elephone Number:_______________________________
Em
ail Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Under Federal law your family is primarily responsible for paying for your college expenses. In very limited situations, Federal law
may allow us to consider a dependent student as independent (for financial aid purposes) when unusual conditions exist.
Examples of unusual conditions where you may be unable to provide parental data include:
● Your parents are incarcerated; or
● You have left home due to an abusive family environment; or
● You do not know your parent’s location, are unable to contact them, and you are not adopted.
The following DO NOT qualify as reasons for requesting a dependency change:
● You do not live with your parents or you are self-sufficient; or
● Your parents refuse to contribute to your college expenses; or
● Your parents do not want to provide their information on your FAFSA; or
● Your parents do not claim you (the student) as an exemption on their income taxes.
** Verification of your FAFSA information must be completed before adjustments can be made. Check your eligibility
requirements on your LOLA account to see which documents are required for verification, in addition to any request for additional
information.
Select the reason for your Dependency Override Request:
If any of the following applies to your situation, please indicate below with a check mark. We will need to receive ALL listed
information below before the request can be considered.
◻ Death of custodial parent and no contact with non-custodial parent.
Required Documentation:
● Typed and signed personal statement outlining the reason for a request, including specific information and dates
● Copy of student’s birth certificate
● Copy of death certificates or obituaries
◻ Currently not living with parent(s). (This may be due to severe estrangement, abandonment, incarceration, mental
incapacity, physical or emotional abuse, and any drug or alcohol abuse).
Required Documentation:
• Typed and signed personal statement outlining the reason for a request, including specific information and dates
• Copy of student’s birth certificate
• At least two signed letters from third party (non-family member) who can verify your situation from personal
knowledge. Professional references must be signed and listed on agency letterhead (law enforcement, guidance
counselor, social worker, clergy, etc.) Personal references (family member) must provide contact information and sign.
