What is a Dependency
Override?
The criteria by which a student is consid-
ered independent of parental support for
educational costs is determined by your
answers to the questions asked in the
dependency section on the 2017-2018
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA). Financial Aid Services may con-
sider exceptional circumstances to allow
an otherwise dependent student to apply
for nancial aid without parental nancial
information.
Only extreme documented cases
will warrant a change in the stu-
dent’s status. Your parent’s refusal to
assist you with educational costs, your
decision to live separately from your
parents, or tax ling status are not, by
themselves or in combination, considered
valid reasons for a dependency override.
Dependency Override requests will be
forwarded to the Dependency Override
Request Committee for determination.
Any decision by the Dependency Over-
ride Request Committee applies only to
the current award year and is exclusive to
Howard Community College.
Did you receive a dependency override appeal approval
at HCC for 2016-2017?
No Complete Steps 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Yes Please write a letter describing your current situation, even if your situation
remains unchanged, AND complete Steps 1 and 4 only.
Procedures
Step 1: Complete and submit the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov without
parental information.
Step 2: Write a statement of circumstances.
Attach a detailed statement of your unique family circumstances that outlines
why you should not be required to submit your parents’ nancial information.
Include a complete history of:
a. your relationship with both biological and/or both legally adoptive parents;
b. specic dates of events;
c. where you have lived and are currently living;
d. your sources of income;
e. how you have supported yourself while living apart from your parents; and
f. identify individuals who have rst hand knowledge of the situation.
Step 3: Collect two letters of supporting documentation.
Attach two letters of supporting documentation written by third parties who
have rst hand professional knowledge of your situation, such as your social
worker, counselor, guidance counselor, clergy or other professionals that you
have worked with regarding your personal situation.
All letters must be on letterhead and signed by the professionals.
Step 4: Sign and submit this form with all required documents.
Statement of Understanding
• I certify that the supporting documentation submitted is true and accurate and represents
my situation as described in the letter submitted to the Dependency Override Request
Committee. Failure to submit the required documentation will result in an automatic
denial of my request.
• I authorize the Dependency Override Request Committee to contact any third parties
whom I have requested to document my situation.
• I understand that the Dependency Override Request Committee may require
additional documentation in order to clarify my situation.
• I understand that I may be required to meet with the Dependency Override Request
Committee for a personal interview in order to clarify my situation.
• I understand that the decision of the Dependency Override Request Committee is nal.
Signature
Date
Financial Aid Services
10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy
Columbia MD 21044
443-518-1260;
443-518-4576 (FAX)
naid@howardcc.edu
www.howardcc.edu
CRI:
FAC17DOR
ImageNow
Doc type: UG Finaid Miscellaneous
FA Doc Name: Dep Appeal
Work Flow
Main: FAS Document Processing
Sub-queue: Academic Year
Student’s Last Name Student’s First Name Student’s M.I. Student’s HCC ID Number
2017/2018 Dependency Override
