Information for
Dependency Override Appeal
Financial aid regulations assume that a student’s family has primary responsibility for meeting educational costs. If you are
considered a dependent student according to the standard financial aid definition, your aid eligibility is determined by using parent
income and asset information in addition to your information.
Am I a Dependent or Independent Student?
A student’s dependency status is determined based on their responses to specific questions on the FAFSA application
For financial aid purposes, an independent student is defined as someone who meets any of the following conditions:
Born before January 1, 1997;
Married as of the date aid application signed;
Attending Graduate level program of study during the 2020-21 academic year;
Currently serving on active duty in U.S. Armed Forces (other than for training);
Veteran of U.S. Armed Forces (or will be a veteran as of June 30, 2021), or have attended a service academy and were released under a
condition other than dishonorable;
Have children who receive more than half their support from the student, or has legal dependents, other than a spouse or children, who live
with student and who receive more than half their support from the student between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021;
Is/was an Emancipated Minor or in Legal Guardianship as determined by the court in his/her state of legal residence;
At any time since you turned age 13, both your parents deceased (Orphan), were you in foster care or, a dependent or ward of the court
At any time on or after July 1, 2019, a self-supporting unaccompanied youth who is homeless or at risk of homelessness (as certified by a high
school, school district homeless liaison, governmental or school agency).
A student that does not meet any of the above conditions is classified as a dependent student.
What is a Dependency Override?
A dependency override occurs when a financial aid administrator exercises professional judgment and overrides the standard criteria on the
FAFSA application for dependent students. An override may only be granted on an individual case-by-case basis for students with unusual and
exceptional circumstances. These circumstances must show a compelling reason for a student to be considered independent.
What conditions might warrant a Dependency Override?
A dependency override might be warranted for unusual circumstances which includes, but is not limited to:
The student is unable to locate their parents,
Abandonment by parents or
An abusive family environment that threatens the student’s health or safety (physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, sexual orientation)
What conditions do not warrant a Dependency Override?
Federal regulations state that none of the conditions listed below, singly or in combination, qualify as unusual circumstances meriting a
dependency override:
1. Parents refuse to contribute to the student’s education.
2. Parents are unwilling to provide information on the FAFSA application or for verification.
3. Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes
4. Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency.
Dependency Override Appeal Requirements All information reported and provided remains strictly confidential
1. Financial Aid Application Complete either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to submitting the Dependency
Override Appeal.
Dependency Override Appeal Form Complete all sections of the appeal form. Note: your personal statement is a critical requirement to
the dependency override process.
2. Third-Party Statements Provide at least two letters from third-party (e.g., a teacher, counselor, medical authority, member of the clergy,
prison administrator, government agency, or court) adult individuals who personally have knowledge of your situation and who can verify
your circumstances. Letters must include details as to how the person knows you, how long they have known you, and how they have been
involved and/or have first-hand knowledge of your situation. One of the letters must be from an adult in a professional capacity on agency
letterhead and must include their official title, phone number and full agency address. Note: third-party statements are a critical requirement
to the dependency override process.
3. Required Documentation In addition to your appeal form and third-party statements, you must provide a copy of your current lease or
rental agreement. If you do not have either, attach a signed statement from your current landlord verifying your tenancy.
4. Submit your completed appeal to the Financial Aid Office in-person, via USPS mail (1140 College Drive Box 582 Pineville, La.
71359), via fax at (318)487-7449 or via email at financial_aid@lacollege.edu.
Outcome of Appeal
If your appeal is approved, we will notify you via your LC email and will submit the override information to the relevant aid application. Your
financial aid will be packaged based on your independent status. Additional documents may be required after your override is accepted and
processed by the Financial Aid Counselor.
If your appeal is denied, we will notify you via your LC email account of our decision. It is the students responsibility to update their aid
application to provide parent information, income and signatures. All decisions on dependency overrides are made based on Professional
Judgment by the LC Financial Aid Office.
2020-21
Dependency Override Appeal
Louisiana College Financial Aid Office 1140 College Dr Box 582 Pineville, La. 71359
Phone (318) 487-7386 Fax (318) 487-7449 Email: financial_aid@lacollege.edu
https://www.lacollege.edu/students/financial-aid/
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If you indicated on the FAFSA application that you have special circumstances because of homelessness or self-supporting and
at risk for being homeless please STOP and contact the Financial Aid Office.
This appeal is valid for only one academic year you will need to renew your status every year.
If you submitted a Dependency Override Appeal to LC that was approved for 2020-21, instead of this form,
please submit the 2020-21 Dependency Override Renewal Request.
C. Third-Party Statements Be sure your name and LC ID number are on each statement and attach to this appeal.
Provide at least two letters from third-party (e.g., a teacher, counselor, medical authority, member of the clergy, prison
administrator, government agency, or court) adult individuals who personally have knowledge of your situation and
who can verify the circumstances you provided in your personal statement. Third-party letters must include details as
to how the person knows you, how long they have known you, and how they have been involved and/or have first-hand
knowledge of your situation. One of the letters must be from an adult in a professional capacity on agency letterhead
and must include their official title, phone number and full agency address. Note: third-party statements are a critical
requirement to the dependency override process.
D. Additional Documentation
Additional documentation may be required once the appeal has been reviewed. If additional documentation is required,
we will notify you via your LC email account of what is needed.
E. Certification and Signatures Each person signing this worksheet certifies that all the information reported on it, including
any attachments, is complete and correct. The student whose information was reported on the FAFSA must sign and date.
Warning! If you purposely give false or misleading information you may be fined, sentenced to jail, or both.
Student Signature: _____________________________________________________ Date__________________
This worksheet must be signed and dated to be valid. Electronic and/or digital signatures are not valid.
For Office Use Only
Dependency Override Approved
Processed via FAA
Dependency Override Denied
If approved, update Dependency field to (I) for Independent
Comment(s):
Processed/Reviewed By:
Date:
A. Student Information
Student’s Name: ________________________________________________
B. Student’s Personal Statement Use a separate sheet of paper to write/type your personal statement.
A signed, dated, clear and concise letter from you, the student, explaining your situation in as much detail as you feel comfortable in
sharing. A dependency override might be warranted for unusual circumstances which includes, but is not limited to:
The student is unable to locate their parents,
Abandonment by parents or
An abusive family environment that threatens the student’s health or safety (physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, sexual orientation)
LC ID