Special/Unusual Circumstances - Professional Judgement

We understand that some students and families experience changes or challenges that can affect their ability to pay for college. If the information on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no longer reflects your current situation, the Office of Financial Aid may be able to review your circumstances.

Federal regulations allow financial aid administrators to review certain situations on a case-by-case basis and, when appropriate, make adjustments using required documentation. These adjustments may impact your Student Aid Index (SAI) and help provide a more accurate picture of you or your family’s ability to contribute to your educational costs.

Special Circumstances involve financial changes that affect the information reported on your FAFSA. Examples include:

• Loss or reduction of income
• Death of a parent or spouse after filing the FAFSA
• Significant medical expenses not covered by insurance
• Divorce or separation
  
  

These situations may allow adjustments to FAFSA data or the Cost of Attendance (COA).

Dependency Override applies when a student has unusual circumstances that prevent them from providing parent information on the FAFSA. Examples may include:

• Parental abandonment or estrangement
• Human trafficking
• Refugee or asylee status
• Parental incarceration
  
  

The U.S. Department of Education has provided guidance on circumstances that do not, by themselves or in combination, qualify as unusual circumstances for a dependency override. These include:

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

While these situations may create financial hardship, they do not meet federal criteria for a dependency override.

If you believe your situation qualifies, we encourage you to review the appeal requirements carefully and submit all requested documentation for consideration.

Step-by-Step Process for Students

Step 1: Submit the FAFSA

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2026–2027 academic year.

• Answer the questions honestly based on your situation.

Step 2: Request an Unusual Circumstance Appeal Based on Your Situation

• Submit the appropriate Unusual Circumstance Appeal request form through the Financial Aid Office.

• Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and must be supported by documentation.

Step 3: Provide Required Documentation

You must submit all required documentation for your request to be considered complete. This typically includes:

• A detailed personal statement explaining your family circumstances, including when the situation began and why parental support or contact is not possible;

• Third-party documentation from a professional or knowledgeable individual (such as a school counselor, social worker, clergy member, case manager, or other appropriate third party) who can confirm your circumstances;

• Any additional documentation requested by the Financial Aid Office to clarify your situation.

Incomplete submissions cannot be reviewed.

Step 4: Review by the Financial Aid Office

• Once all required documentation is received, the request is reviewed by a Financial Aid Counselor.

• Review timeframe: Completed requests are typically reviewed within 10–15 business days.

Step 5: Notification of Decision

• You will be notified of the decision via your Morgan State University email account.

• The notification will outline whether your request was approved or denied and, if denied, whether additional information may be submitted for reconsideration.

Subsequent Years (Once Approved)

Beginning with the 2023–2024 award year, federal regulations allow institutions to carry forward an approved dependency override.

• A student who is approved for a DEPENDENCY OVERRIDE ONLY and granted independent status due to unusual circumstances will continue to be considered independent in subsequent award years at Morgan State University.

• Students must still submit the FAFSA each year, but do not need to repeat the dependency override process, unless:

  • The student reports that their circumstances have changed, or

  • The Financial Aid Office receives conflicting information regarding the student’s dependency status.

Important Notes

• Unusual Circumstances Appeals are not automatic and are reviewed individually.
• Submission of a request does not guarantee approval.
• Providing complete, accurate, and timely documentation helps ensure a smoother review process.

For questions or assistance, students should contact the Financial Aid Office directly or their assigned Financial Aid Counselor.

Submit the Unusual Circumstance Appeal that best fits your situation with all the requested supporting documentation below: