Special Circumstances
At Allan Hancock College, we take the time to personally consider each individual family's financial circumstances using the FAFSA. We make every effort to be as accommodating as possible when determining your financial aid eligibility and award(s).
The FAFSA is a means to determine eligibility for every family; yet we realize that the FAFSA does not account for every family and/or situation. There are cases when families and students have a special circumstance that is not taken into consideration on the FAFSA.
Dependency Override
If you feel you should be considered independent because you meet one of the below criteria, download, print, complete, and submit the below Dependency Override appeal and provide all required explanation and documentation:
- Parent(s) is/are deceased or incarcerated or 100% disabled
- Unusual parental circumstances (e.g., parent’s whereabouts are unknown, documented abusive family environment, abandonment by parent, etc.).
Upon receipt of a Dependency Status Appeal Form and supporting documentation, the Office of Financial Aid will review your circumstances and documentation. Students with unusual circumstances that qualify for a dependency override will be deemed an independent student for the aid year. Special circumstances qualifications are discretionary and granted on a case-by-case basis.
Parent or Student Income Appeal
If you or your family's financial situation has changed, you may request to have your financial aid eligibility re-evaluated.
Complete the appropriate Income Appeal form(s) and provide an explanation and documentation as outlined on the Appeal forms. Some reasons for loss of income include:
- Loss/Reduction of Employment or Income
- Unusual Medical and/or Dental Expenses
- Divorce, Separation or Death
- Other, e.g. COVID-19 related
Before completing any of these forms, make sure your 2022-23 financial aid file is complete and you are meeting minimum satisfactory academic progress (SAP) standards.