Independent Status
This petition is for students who cannot provide parent information on the FAFSA® due to serious circumstances that prevent contact with their parents or make contact unsafe.
This petition is not used simply because parents refuse to contribute to your education, refuse to complete the FAFSA®, or do not claim you on their taxes.
If you believe you cannot safely contact your parents, contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss your situation.
Unaccompanied Youth / Homelessness
Students who are unaccompanied and homeless, or at risk of homelessness, may qualify for independent status. You will need to provide a determination to qualify for this petition.
If you believe this applies to you, contact the Financial Aid Office for guidance on next steps.
Dependent Unsubsidized Loan Only
If your parents are unwilling to provide information on the FAFSA® but you do not qualify for independent status, you may request consideration for a Dependent Unsubsidized Loan Only.
This option does not change your dependency status but may allow access to limited additional loan funds.
Contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss eligibility and documentation requirements.
Special Circumstance Petition
If the information on your FAFSA® does not accurately reflect your current income or financial situation, you may request a review.
Examples include significant income changes, job loss, marital status changes, or other financial circumstances that differ from what was reported on the FAFSA®.
If you believe your financial situation has changed, contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss whether a petition may be appropriate.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Petition
Students who are not meeting the minimum financial aid academic standards may be allowed to petition their SAP status to request reinstatement of federal aid eligibility.
See the SAP page for more information about SAP standards and appeals.
How to Start a Petition
Petitions and award adjustments must be reviewed in consultation with a Financial Aid specialist.
To begin:
- Contact the Financial Aid Office with questions about your situation.
- Follow instructions provided on any documents in your Financial Aid Portal.
- Upload any requested documentation through the portal.
Financial Aid will contact you with next steps after reviewing your request.