Dependency Override

Under HEA Sec. 480(d)(9), the FAFSA Simplification Act incorporated additional unusual circumstances to consider when a student is unable to contact a parent or where contact with parents poses a risk to such student.

Unusual circumstances do include (but are not limited to):

• Human trafficking, as described in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.);
• Legally granted refugee or asylum status;
• Parental abandonment or estrangement; or
• Student or parental incarceration.

Unusual circumstances do not include:

• Parents refuse to contribute to the student’s education.
• Parents will not provide information for the FAFSA or verification.
• Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes.
• Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency.

Initial Requests

If you wish for us to consider an Unusual Circumstance – Dependency Override and this is your first time submitting a request, please submit the following:

1. Submit your FAFSA for the applicable aid year online at studentaid.gov and bypass parent income information. As a reminder, the priority deadline to submit your FAFSA for the next aid year is January 15*.
2. Submit the Confirmation of Unusual or Other Circumstances Form for the applicable aid year. Note: for the 2023-2024 year, you will submit a Request for Independent Status Form.
3. A typed letter detailing the unusual circumstances that explain the reason for your request and discuss your relationship with your parents.
4. Two statements from professionals (teacher, counselor, clergy, social worker) familiar with your situation that further outlines and verifies the special circumstances. The statements must include an address and telephone numbers from the professionals and should be on letterhead.
5. Submit a signed copy of your most recent aid year’s federal income tax return, if you filed, or all W2s and/or paystubs if you earned income but did not file.

*Due to FAFSA/TASFA delays, the priority deadline for 2024-2025 has been extended to May 1. The State of Texas Deadline is still April 15 (for funding such as Texas Grant).

Renewal Requests

If you’ve had an Unusual Circumstance – Dependency Override approved at the University of Texas at San Antonio for the prior year, you will be automatically approved for the subsequent year as long as your situation has not changed. You must have a FAFSA on file for the applicable year. Processing time may take several weeks and you will be sent a notification via your UTSA e-mail account once your dependency override has been processed.

If you had a Dependency Override approved at a different institution, you will need to submit an initial request for the applicable aid year.