Unusual Circumstances
Your dependency status for financial aid is determined by information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
If you’re identified as dependent, You’ll need to provide parent/contributor information on the FAFSA. However, there are unique situations where you’re unable to provide the parent/contributor information, or your determined dependency isn’t accurate based on your circumstances. Financial aid administrators have the ability to use their professional judgment to re-evaluate your dependency based on your unique situation.
Who is considered independent for the purposes of Federal Student Aid?
According to the Department of Education, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- 24 years of age or older
- Married
- Enrolled in a master's or doctorate program
- A veteran or active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training
- An orphan, ward/dependent of the court, or in foster care after reaching the age 13
- Supporting at least one legal dependent other than a spouse
- An emancipated minor under legal guardianship of someone other than a parent prior to age 18
- Homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
If you are unsure of your status, refer to the guide below to help you determine your dependency status.
HOW TO DETERMINE DEPENDENCY STATUS
What is an Unusual Circumstance Appeal?
An Unusual Circumstance Appeal occurs when a financial aid advisor exercises professional judgment to override the standard dependency criteria based on extenuating family circumstances. The decision to override your dependency status is made on a case-by-case basis and must documented in your file.
Examples of Unusual Circumstances Considered
Here are some examples that may warrant a dependency override if you are able to provide the required documentation. This list is not exhaustive, and having one or more of these situations does not guarantee approval of a dependency override:
- Parental abandonment, estrangement, or incarceration
- Abusive or threatening family environment
- Parental incapacitation/institutionalization
- Death of custodial parent with no contact with other parent
- Victims of human trafficking
- Refugee or asylee status
- Unaccompanied youth who is homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless
Examples of Unusual Circumstances NOT Considered
Your dependency status is not based on their ability to demonstrate self-sufficiency, or solely on the parents’ inability or unwillingness to assist with college expenses. The following circumstances DO NOT warrant a dependency override:
- Parents refusing to contribute to your education costs
- Parents not providing their information on the FAFSA or for Verification
- Parents do not claim you as a dependent for income tax purposes
- Your not living with parents
- Your demonstrating total self-sufficiency
Additional Information
- Submitting an Unusual Circumstance Appeal does not guarantee approval, and even if approved, a recalculation of the FAFSA does not guarantee an increase in financial aid eligibility.
- All documents must be received before the appeal can be reviewed.
- An approved Unusual Circumstance Appeal granted by another institution will not be automatically accepted by UND. You must complete the appeal process and attach all applicable documentation.
- Beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year, If you’re approved by UND for a dependency override and made independent for financial aid, you’ll continue to be independent for each subsequent award year at UND, unless you inform us of a change in your circumstance or conflicting information is received.
2024-2025 Unusual Circumstance Form
Forms and supporting documentation can be submitted electronically, in person, or by mail to the UND One-Stop Student Services.
For electronic submission, forms and documentation must be submitted using our Secure File Drop to protect sensitive data. W2’s, tax forms, or other personal information should NOT be submitted as an attachment to emails. Documentation submitted outside of the Secure File Drop will not be accepted.
Unusual Circumstance Appeal Form
How to Request an Unusual Circumstance Appeal
- Complete the FAFSA for the applicable aid year.
- Complete the Unusual Circumstance Appeal form, gather the required documentation, and submit using the Secure File Drop.
- Monitor your UND email for communications regarding your appeal. Additional documentation may be requested by an aid administrator.
- Once all documentation is received, your appeal will be reviewed, and the results will be communicated via UND email.
To comply with the U.S. Department of Education, all appeals and documentation must be submitted before the last day of the semester/academic year being appealed. Appeals cannot be processed beyond the enrollment period. It’s recommended to submit an Unusual Circumstance Appeal with all required documentation 3 weeks prior to the last day of the semester.