Updated 4-2020
1
Copper Mountain College
Financial Aid Office
2020-2021
Dependency Override
REQUEST FOR INDEPENDENT STATUS
______________________________________________________ _________________________
Student Name (Last, First, M.I.) Student ID #
______________________________________________________ _________________________
Mailing Address Current Telephone #
Independent Status Definition:
If you do not meet any of the conditions for independent status outlined by the federal
government on the FAFSA you may appeal if you believe you have extenuating
circumstances. These are generally severe circumstances within your family that prevent
you from obtaining your parent’s financial information. This will apply to situations where the
student’s physical or emotional welfare is jeopardized by contact with the parent(s). If
you would like the financial aid office to consider a dependency override, which eliminates
the requirement for parental information on the FAFSA, you must be able to explain and
document the circumstances.
None of the conditions listed below, singly or in combination, qualify as unusual
circumstances meriting a dependency override:
Parents refuse to contribute to the student’s education
Parents are unwilling to provide information on the FAFSA or for verification
Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes
Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency
Unusual Circumstances do include:
An abusive family environment
Abandoned by parents (students between the ages of 21 and 24)
(OVER)
Updated 4-2020
2
If you feel that you have severe circumstances, please submit the following
documentation to the Financial Aid Office:
1. A personal letter describing in detail your severe circumstances (timeline form is
most helpful). Include the following information:
What are your present living arrangements (who do you live with, how much
rent do you pay each month?) and since what date?
How do you support yourself and meet your living expenses?
Why are your parents no longer able to support you?
2. A letter from a professional detailing your severe circumstances. Examples of a
professional would be a high school counselor, caseworker, therapist, member of the
clergy, etc. This letter must be on official letterhead and include the following
information:
The length of time the person has known you
How the person is aware of your situation
Why the parental support is not available (to the best of their knowledge)
3. A letter from a third party detailing your severe circumstances. Examples of a third
party could be another professional, aunt, uncle, grandparent, family friend, etc.
4. Other supporting documentation such as police reports or court orders, as it applies
to you.
I hereby certify that all information contained in this request for dependency override is true
and complete. I understand that providing false statements or fraudulent documentation will
prevent me from receiving financial aid and may lead to fines and/or imprisonment.
I understand that as with the FAFSA, I will be required to re-certify this information
every year that I apply for financial aid.
I UNDERSTAND THAT IF I MOVE BACK WITH MY PARENTS OR RECEIVE ANY KIND OF
SUPPORT FROM THEM; I MUST REPORT THIS TO THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE IMMEDIATELY.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Student Signature Date
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