{"id":6630,"date":"2023-06-08T17:47:51","date_gmt":"2023-06-09T00:47:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nau.edu\/office-of-scholarships-and-financial-aid\/?page_id=6630"},"modified":"2026-05-02T17:48:33","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T17:48:33","slug":"petition-dependency-override","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/office-scholarships-financial-aid\/petition-dependency-override\/","title":{"rendered":"Petition for dependency override"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"nau-block nau-block-left-nav-top-bound\">\n    \t<button id=\"left-nav-toggle-btn\" onclick=\"toggleNav();\">\n\t\tON THIS PAGE \n\t\t<i id=\"chevron-icon\" class=\"fas fa-solid fa-chevron-down\"><\/i>\n\t<\/button>\n\t<div id=\"left-nav-menu-track\">\n\t\t<div id=\"left-nav-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"rfi-above-anchor-tags\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ri-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nau.edu\/admissions\/request-information\/\" id=\"request-info\" class=\"btn bg-true-blue left-nav-menu-bottom-button display-mobile\">Request info&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div id=\"left-nav-menu\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"menu-section menu-section-links\"><h6 class=\"hidden-mobile left-nav-list-header\">ON THIS PAGE<\/h6><ul class=\"left-nav-menu-list on-this-page\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/office-scholarships-financial-aid\/petition-dependency-override\/#dependency\" title=\"Understand dependency status\">Understand dependency status<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/office-scholarships-financial-aid\/petition-dependency-override\/#submit-petition\" title=\"Submit a petition\">Submit a petition<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/office-scholarships-financial-aid\/petition-dependency-override\/#financial-aid\" title=\"Financial aid processing\">Financial aid processing<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul><div class=\"ri-container\"><a href=\"https:\/\/nau.edu\/admissions\/request-information\/\" id=\"request-info\" class=\"btn bg-true-blue left-nav-menu-bottom-button display-mobile\">Request info&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/a><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"menu-section backcolor\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHOW CAN WE HELP?\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"responsive-icons\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"link-button\" onclick=\"embedLouieChatbot();\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img style=\"width: 20px;\" src=\"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/wp-content\/themes\/nau-marketing-2021\/img\/icon-chat.svg\" alt=\"Live chat:\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChat\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li><a href=\"tel:928-523-4951\"><img src=\"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/wp-content\/themes\/nau-marketing-2021\/img\/icon-phone.svg\" alt=\"Telephone:\"> 928-523-4951<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li><a href=\"mailto:financial.aid@nau.edu\"><img src=\"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/wp-content\/themes\/nau-marketing-2021\/img\/icon-email.svg\" alt=\"Email:\"><span class=\"left-nav-email\"> financial.aid&#8203;@nau.edu <\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<section class=\"nau-block left-nav-section\"><header class=\"entry-header\"><div class=\"breadcrumb\"><ol class=\"breadcrumbs\"><li class=\"current\">Pages<\/li><\/ol><\/div><h1 class=\"entry-title text-left \">Petition for dependency override<\/h1><hr class=\"h1-hr  text-left \" role=\"none\"><\/header><!-- .entry-header --><\/section><!-- <section class=\"nau-block left-nav-section grid-md-12\">\n    <header class=\"entry-header\">\n        <h1 class=\"entry-title text-left \" tabindex=\"0\" id=\"h1-first\">Dummy H1<\/h1>\n        <hr class=\"h1-hr  text-left \" role=\"none\">\n    <\/header>\n<\/section> -->\n\n<section class=\"nau-block left-nav-section grid-md-12\">\n        <div class=\"page-content\">\n        \n\n<h2 id=\"dependency\">Understand your dependency status<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">In order to receive financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For students under the age of 24, parental income is required on the FAFSA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">The Dependency Override&nbsp;Appeal is available for students who have unusual circumstances that may qualify them for independent status, which could have an impact on their financial aid eligibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA) may be able to update a student\u2019s dependency status if the student has qualifying special circumstances and documentation to support it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">The following circumstances <strong>do not <\/strong>qualify as &#8220;unusual circumstances.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol><li>Parents are refusing to contribute to the student&#8217;s education.<\/li><li>Parents are unwilling to provide information on the application or for verification.<\/li><li>Parents are not claiming the students as a dependent for income tax purposes.<\/li><li>Student is demonstrating total self-sufficiency.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<section  \n    class=\"nau-block nau-block-panels   \" \n    data-layout_mobile=\"groupLayout-Stack gutter_Default panelLayoutPhotoTextVertical  photoAspect-1-1\"\n        data-layout_tablet=\"groupLayout-Tabs gutter_Default panelLayoutPhotoTextVertical  photoAspect-1-1\"\n        data-layout_desktop=\"groupLayout-Tabs gutter_Default panelLayoutPhotoTextVertical  photoAspect-1-1\"\n        data-layout_xl=\"groupLayout-Tabs gutter_Default panelLayoutPhotoTextVertical  photoAspect-1-1\">\n\n    <div class=\"background-wrapper\">\n        <div class=\"block-main-content\">\n            \n            \n                            <div class=\"tab-nav\" role=\"tablist\" aria-label=\"Tabs for  articles\">\n                                                \n                        <button data-panel=\"panel--0\"\n                            role=\"tab\"\n                            aria-controls=\"panel--0\"\n                            class=\"active bg-true-blue bg-none\"\n                            tabindex=\"0\">What is an Independent Student?<\/button>\n                                                \n                        <button data-panel=\"panel--1\"\n                            role=\"tab\"\n                            aria-controls=\"panel--1\"\n                            class=\"after-active bg-green bg-none\"\n                            tabindex=\"-1\">What if you&#8217;re not an Independent Student? <\/button>\n                                    <\/div>\n            \n            \n            \n            <div class=\"panel-wrapper\">\n                \n                                \n                        <div class=\"panel bg-true-blue  panelTypeText  noHover \"\n                            data-role=\"tabpanel\"\n                            data-panel=\"panel--0\"\n                            id=\"panel--0\">\n\n                            \n                                                                    <div class=\"content\">\n                                            <div class=\"text-wrapper\">\n                                                                                                <h3 class=\"h3-tab-index\">How it works<\/h3>\n                                                \n                                                                                                    <div class=\"text\">\n                                                        <p><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"left\"} --><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">The standard definition of an Independent student is someone who meets the criteria of one or more of the following:<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>is 24 years of age or older by December 31 of the award year<\/li>\n<li>is an orphan or ward of the court or was a ward of the court until the individual reached the age of 18<\/li>\n<li>is a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States<\/li>\n<li>is a graduate or professional student<\/li>\n<li>is a married individual<\/li>\n<li>has legal dependents other than a spouse<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list --><\/p>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                \n                                                                                            <\/div>\n                                        <\/div>\n\n                                    \n                                \n                                                        <\/div>\n                    \n                        <div class=\"panel bg-green  panelTypeText  noHover \"\n                            data-role=\"tabpanel\"\n                            data-panel=\"panel--1\"\n                            id=\"panel--1\">\n\n                            \n                                                                    <div class=\"content\">\n                                            <div class=\"text-wrapper\">\n                                                                                                <h3 class=\"h3-tab-index\">How it works<\/h3>\n                                                \n                                                                                                    <div class=\"text\">\n                                                        <p><!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"left\"} --><\/p>\n<p><strong>What if a student does not meet the definition of an Independent Student but cannot obtain tax information from their parent due to extenuating circumstances?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">If a student\u2019s parent(s) refuse to provide their tax information on the FAFSA due to extenuating circumstances, the student may submit a Petition for Dependency Override.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {\"align\":\"left\"} --><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">The following are examples of extenuating circumstances that may qualify a student for a Dependency Override.\u00a0 Examples include, but are not limited to:<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The student is homeless or an unaccompanied youth.<\/li>\n<li>The student or parent has been incarcerated or admitted to an institution.<\/li>\n<li>The student has experienced an abusive family environment.<\/li>\n<li>The parent(s)&#8217; whereabouts are unknown or the parent cannot be located.<\/li>\n<li>The student has been removed from the home due to unsafe living conditions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list --><\/p>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                \n                                                                                            <\/div>\n                                        <\/div>\n\n                                    \n                                \n                                                        <\/div>\n                                                <\/div>\n\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"submit-petition\">Instructions for submitting a Petition for Dependency Override<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n<!-- removed margin utility classes pt-0 mb-0 mb-md-70 mb-lg-100 -->\n<section class=\"nau-block headline-image-wysiwyg  color-scheme-blue \">\n    <header class=\"hiw-head-and-hero-wrapper\">\n\n        \n        <picture>\n            <source media=\"(min-width: 1100px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/229\/2023\/10\/0222_mpa_student_20220822-2000x1125.jpg\">\n            <source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/229\/2023\/10\/0222_mpa_student_20220822-1200x900.jpg\">\n            <img src=\"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/229\/2023\/10\/0222_mpa_student_20220822-800x600.jpg\" alt=\"A photo a student sitting at a booth and working on a laptop.\">\n        <\/picture>\n    <\/header>\n\n    <div class=\"hiw-innerblockwrapper  \">\n        \n        <!--h3><\/h3-->\n\n        <div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n            <div class=\"wp-block-column\"><p>Complete the Petition for Dependency Override below or contact us for assistance. The petition must include documents that support the student\u2019s extenuating circumstances.<\/p>\n<p>Documentation may include, but is not limited to:<\/p>\n<ul id=\"block-55de1948-4f56-4efd-a429-b503a9e42ad8\" class=\"block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block is-selected rich-text\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" contenteditable=\"true\" aria-multiline=\"true\" aria-label=\"Block: List\" data-block=\"55de1948-4f56-4efd-a429-b503a9e42ad8\" data-type=\"core\/list\" data-title=\"List\">\n<li>court documents<\/li>\n<li>police reports<\/li>\n<li>signed and dated letters from professional organizations or staff members who have knowledge about the student\u2019s extenuating circumstances (schools, churches, counseling services, physicians, etc.)<\/li>\n<li>signed and dated letters from family members who have knowledge about the extenuating circumstances<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Submitting a Petition for Dependency Override does not guarantee approval.\u00a0Our office has a 25-business day processing timeline for all appeals.\u00a0 Students will be notified of their appeal decision by email.<\/p>\n<\/div>                    <\/div>\n\n                \n        <div class=\"wp-block-buttons alignright\">\n                                        <div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-primary-blue\"><a\n                                        href=\"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/229\/2026\/04\/Petition.DependencyOverride.pdf\"\n                                        target=\"_blank\" class=\"wp-block-button__link\">\n                                    Petition for Dependency Override                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                                                        <div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-primary-gold\"><a\n                                        href=\"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/office-scholarships-financial-aid\/contact\/\"\n                                        target=\"_blank\" class=\"wp-block-button__link\">\n                                    Contact us                                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"financial-aid\">Financial aid processing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Students approved for a Dependency Override will be packaged and receive financial awards as an Independent student. Awarding will still be based on the student\u2019s Student Aid Index (SAI). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Beginning with the 2023-24 award year, students who are approved for a Dependency Override shall then be automatically approved for a 2024-25 Dependency Override and for all subsequent years until the student becomes Independent by standard definitions.<\/p>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"nau-block nau-block-left-nav-bottom-bound\">\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":9263,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ring_central_script_selection":""},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/office-scholarships-financial-aid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6630"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/office-scholarships-financial-aid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/office-scholarships-financial-aid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/office-scholarships-financial-aid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/office-scholarships-financial-aid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6630"}],"version-history":[{"count":82,"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/office-scholarships-financial-aid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6630\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14167,"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/office-scholarships-financial-aid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6630\/revisions\/14167"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/office-scholarships-financial-aid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9263"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/office-scholarships-financial-aid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6630"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}