What if I think I have special circumstances?

When you are ready to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you should work with the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend if you think you have special circumstances that the FAFSA doesn't address.

I am considered a dependent student, but I think I should be considered independent. What can I do?

If you are in a unique situation, the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend might make a special determination of independence in your case. However, you cannot be determined to be independent just because

• your parents don't want to provide information on the FAFSA due to privacy concerns;
• your parents don't feel it's their responsibility to provide financial assistance for college;
• your parents no longer claim you as a dependent on their taxes; or
• you no longer live at home.

Contact your college's financial aid office to discuss dependency status if you

• have no contact with your parents and do not know where they are (and you have not been adopted by someone else); or
• have left home due to an abusive situation.

Before meeting with the financial aid administrator, gather as much written evidence of your situation as you can, perhaps including court documents, a letter from a clergy member or social worker who knows you, bills and bank statements, etc.

Note: the financial aid administrator does not have to change your status, and his or her decision is final and cannot be appealed to the U.S. Department of Education.

What if the information on my FAFSA doesn't show my family's current situation?

The FAFSA asks about last year's income and tax information – for instance, if you fill out the FAFSA in January 2008 because you plan to start college in fall 2008, the FAFSA will ask about what you reported on your 2007 IRS tax forms. We understand that things could change after the end of 2007. We also understand that the FAFSA doesn't ask about large bills your family might be paying.

You should speak to the financial aid administrator at the college you plan to attend if there will be a large change in your family's income or other special circumstances that cannot be reported on the FAFSA. The financial aid administrator may choose to make adjustments to certain items on the FAFSA to account for financial difficulties. It is important to give the financial aid administrator written proof of your situation. You might wish to contact the financial aid administrator if

• your family has unusually large medical bills that are not covered by insurance;
• your family is paying unusually high elementary or secondary school tuition; or
• you or a parent have recently lost a job.

The examples above are simply that: examples. For instance, it is unlikely that your financial aid administrator will adjust your FAFSA just because you are no longer working part-time at the local fast-food restaurant. A financial aid administrator is required to look at each situation on a case-by-case basis.

Please note that the financial aid administrator's decision is final and cannot be appealed to the U.S. Department of Education.