What is Unusual Circumstances?

Unusual Circumstances refer to the condition that justify an aid administrator making an adjustment to a student’s dependency status based on a unique situation, more commonly referred to as a dependency override. By default, most students are considered Dependent and have to provide parental information on their FAFSA or WASFA. However, we acknowledge that their may be certain situations where obtaining parent info may be dangerous or impossible; these situations are referred to as Unusual Circumstances. A student may be experiencing unusual circumstances if they:

• Left home due to an abusive situation that is detrimental to the welfare of the student
• Are abandoned by or estranged from their parents
• Have refugee or asylee status and are separated from their parents, or their parents are displaced in a foreign country
• Are victim of human trafficking
• Are incarcerated, or their parents are incarcerated, and contact with parents would pose a risk to the student
• Are otherwise unable to contact or locate their parents.

Students in these, or similar, situations can submit a Petition for Independent Status to the WVC Financial Aid office. 

I have an Unusual Circumstance. What do I do?

The FAFSA Simplification Act introduced a new concept called provisional independent status. A student can indicated on their FAFSA or WASFA that they have Unusual Circumstances and cannot provide parental information. Their financial aid application will then not initially require parent information and the application can be submitted with this Provisionally Independent status. The financial aid office will communicate with the student to let them know the institution’s procedures, requirements, and timeline for requesting a dependency override within a reasonable time frame after the student completes the FAFSA. 

At Wenatchee Valley College, students will be emailed to notify them that we need them to fill out the Petition for Independent Status. Once submitted, the Financial Aid office will review the information and documentation surrounding the student's situation and make a determination. If approved, a student's FAFSA/WASFA will be updated to confirm being Independent and will not require parent information to be added. We'll then award financial aid based on just your information.

If the student is not determined to be independent through the institution’s professional judgment process, they will have two options:

1. The student can leave their form as-is. If not changes are made, student can only be considered for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan for the award year.
2. The student will need to work with parent(s) to update the FAFSA/WASFA and include parental information. If successful, they can then be considered for all aid.

If you are not sure about what unusual circumstances apply to you, please contact the financial aid office. Based on your case the financial aid administrator will determine the best option for you, to be in compliance with federal, state and institutional regulations.

What doesn't qualify as an Unusual Circumstance?

It is important to point out that the following reasons are not sufficient to approve the override:

• Your parents refuse to contribute to your education
• Your parents refuse to fill out the FAFSA
• Your parents do not claim you as a dependent on their income taxes
• You live on your own and demonstrate self-sufficiency
• You do not wish to communicate with your parents

While we understand that certain family dynamics may be uncomfortable or that parents at times can be unwilling to help, this isn't sufficient to be considered an Independent student.

If you are a student applying for an Independent Status for the first time:	Download the Petition for Independent Status
If you have already been approved for an Independent Status in a prior academic year:	Download the Independent Petition - Update