Special Circumstances

Sometimes unusual circumstances can impact a student’s financial aid situation, including certain living arrangements or family situations that may change during your time at Summit Salon Academy. This may result in the need to clarify your situation with the Financial Aid Office, or have adjustments made. Explore below for further assistance or specifics that might apply to you.

Dependency Override

A dependency override occurs when a financial aid administrator overrides the Department of Education’s criteria for dependent students. These overrides may only be granted on a case-by-case basis for students with unusual circumstances. The unusual circumstances must show reason for a student to be considered independent rather than dependent

Professional Judgment

Professional Judgment refers to a Financial Aid Administrator’s authority to take into consideration unique family circumstances not reflected on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These judgments are made on a case-by-case basis to determine if a student is eligible for need-based financial aid.

What is a Dependency OVERRIDE?

What makes a student dependent or independent?

For financial aid purposes, federal regulations have defined an independent student as one who meets at least one of the following conditions:

Is 24 years of age or older by December 31 of the award year.
Is an orphan or ward of the court or was a ward of the court until the individual reached the age of eighteen.
Is a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States.
Is a graduate or professional student (attending school for a master's degree or doctoral degree).
Is a married individual; or
Has legal dependents other than a spouse.

If a student does not meet one of these criteria, they are deemed a dependent student based on the criteria used for federal financial aid eligibility, and you must provide parental information on the FAFSA.

What conditions don't merit a dependency override?

None of the conditions below, separately or in combination, qualify as unusual circumstances or merit a dependency override:

Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes
Parents refuse to contribute to a student’s education
Student demonstrates self-sufficiency
A student who does not wish to communicate with parents
A student who has been previously considered independent for the purpose of receiving financial aid but does not meet the current definition as outlined in the FAFSA.

How do i request a dependency override?

A Personal Statement - typed, dated, and signed explaining the reason for your request for a dependency override. The letter should provide as much detail as possible, describing your separation from your parents. You are REQUIRED to include the following information:

The whereabouts of your biological parents and their current living arrangements to the best of your knowledge. Include the last contact you had with your biological parents and the frequency of contact with them over the past year(s).
Why you cannot provide parental information on the FAFSA.
Your living arrangements over the past year(s); whom have you lived with and who has provided financial support to you?
Your name and HANDWRITTEN signature

At least three letters from professional witnesses documenting the circumstances as to why you are applying for the dependency override. Witnesses must be familiar with your family circumstances and the circumstances as to why you are applying for the dependency override.

Letters from an agency must be signed and on LETTERHEAD verifying your situation (e.g., high school guidance counselors, therapists, clergy, etc.)
Letters from friends and family verifying your situation.

Any additional documentation to document the events discussed in your written explanation.

Official/Legal documentation that can verify your situation.
Court papers, police reports, documentation from social services, etc.
Death certificate(s) with your birth certificate to prove your connection to your parent(s).

Signed copy federal taxes and schedules (IRS Form 1040 and Schedules 1, 2, & 3) for the FAFSA you are requesting a dependency override for.
All statements and documentation must be submitted through the Dependency Override Worksheet.

What is a Professional Judgment?

Have you or your family’s financial circumstances changed in the past year? The Financial Aid Office may be able to use professional judgment to help eligible students receive additional financial aid.

Do I qualify for a Professional Judgment?

If you have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and have experienced a change of circumstances within the past year, you may qualify for a Professional Judgment. Reasons to request a Professional Judgment include:

Unemployment or Change in Employment.
Parents refusing to provide their information on the FAFSA.
A divorce or legal separation (by you or your parents if dependent).
Unexpected medical expenses not covered by insurance.
Loss of Social Security Benefits, Untaxed Disability Benefits, Court-Ordered Child Support, or One-Time Payouts; and
Death of a parent or spouse

The Financial Aid Office is required to use regulatory parameters established by the U.S. Department of Education to determine if you would qualify for a Professional Judgment.

Will I receive more scholarships if I apply for a Professional Judgment?

Students are not guaranteed to receive additional scholarships by completing a Professional Judgment worksheet. We are required to follow regulatory parameters determined by the U.S. Department of Education. Each judgment is made on a case-by-case basis by a Financial Aid Administrator and the decision is final.

How do I apply for a Professional Judgment?

You will be required to provide a detailed explanation of your circumstances and upload additional documents and worksheets as requested on the Professional Judgment Worksheet.