Financial Aid & Scholarship Office

Unusual Circumstances - Dependency Status Appeal

Are you independent or dependent?


Under dependency status guidelines(opens in new window), most undergraduate students are dependent for the purposes of filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) and must provide parent information on this application. The unusual circumstances dependency appeal process allows a student who has extenuating circumstances to appeal to be considered independent, even though they do not meet any of the independent student criteria on the FAFSA or CADAA.

Submission Reasons

  • Abuse
  • Parental abandonment
  • Irreconcilable differences within the family
  • Human trafficking
  • Legally granted refugee or asylum status
  • Parent incarceration
  • Incapacitated parents

Reasons that cannot be considered include:

  • You is financially self-sufficient
  • Parent(s) no longer claim the you on their tax return
  • Parent(s) refuse or are unable to pay for your education
  • Parents will not provide information for your FAFSA or CADAA or documents for verification

Once an appeal is submitted, we will review the appeal and supporting documentation. If necessary, additional information may be requested. You will be notified within eight weeks of the submission of a complete appeal.

Unusual Circumstances Appeal

To file a unusual circumstances dependency appeal, sign on to your Financial Aid Account and request a "Professional Judgement: Unusual Circumstances Appeal". If you don't have a Financial Aid Account, follow the instructions to create your Financial Aid Account. 2024-25 unusual circumstances appeals must be received by April 25, 2025. 

You must provide the following documents:

  1. A completed electronic dependency appeal form
  2. A signed, detailed letter from you explaining the extenuating circumstance, including the relationship with both biological or adoptive parents
  3. A separate letter from an independent 3rd party source (ex. counselor, medical authority, clergy, court, government agency) who can attest first-hand to your extenuating circumstances. This letter must be detailed and include as much information about your situation as possible
  4. If a letter from an independent source cannot be provided, you must give the reason it cannot be provided in your appeal letter. In this case, you may submit a signed letter from another source (family member for example) in its place.

You must also submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) online. In the Dependency Status section of the FAFSA or CADAA, you will asked if you have an unusual circumstance and are not able to provide parental information.

Once a decision has been made on your appeal, you will receive an email of the outcome. If your appeal is approved you will also received a revised financial aid offer via email. You can also monitor your financial aid in your Student Center. 

Step by Step Instructions

Click the drop-down box below for step by step instructions on how to complete your appeal. Submit your 2024-25 unusual circumstances appeal by April 25, 2025. 

  • Unusual Circumstances Appeal Instructions
    1. Log in to your Financial Aid Account(opens in new window). If you have not logged into your Financial Aid Account before, you will need to create an account. (To create an account, enter your name exactly as it appears on your FAFSA or CADAA).
    2. Click on the "Manage Requests" button at the top right corner of the screen
    3. Click on the plus sign to the right of " Professional Judgement: Unusual Circumstances Appeal" for the appropriate academic year.
    4. Enter a short one-sentence reason for your appeal, then click submit.
    5. You will see the message "Your request has been successfully created!" Click "Ok".
    6. Under "Needs Action" click the "Professional Judgement" box.
    7. Click the red bar with the words "PJ Unusual Circumstances Appeal".
    8. Click "Fill Out".
    9. Follow the instructions to complete the electronic form. 
    10. Click "I will provide supporting documentation" and click "Continue".
    11. Enter your password and click "E-sign" 
    12. Upload supporting documentation.
    13. Finish your appeal by clicking the “submit” button at the bottom.
    Appeals will be reviewed in the order received. You will receive notice of our decision in your Wildcat email.
    Call us at 530-898-6451 if you have any questions.