2013-2014 DEPENDENCY OVERRIDE REQUEST
The federal government believes that students and their parents have the primary responsibility to pay for education. However, the government recognizes exceptions to this rule. Students may appeal this ruling based on extreme circumstances. According to the government, an independent student is someone who is/was any one of the following general requirements:
- Born before January 1, 1990
- Married on the date of application for aid
- Graduate level academic standing
- Having a legal dependents other than a spouse
- Orphan or ward of the court
- Veteran of the armed forces
The financial aid administrator, in determining a dependency override, focuses on truly exceptional circumstances and consideration of individual cases. These practices may include making dependency overrides in situations when a student’s parent cannot be located or where an otherwise dependent student has been a victim of domestic violence and is no longer residing with his/her parents.
A dependency override can be made only to change a student’s status from dependent to independent. Financial Aid administrators cannot use professional judgment to consider a student independent solely on the basis of the student’s previous independent status or because the student is “self-supporting.”
The dependency override may not be used to make an otherwise ineligible student eligible for federal aid, or because the parents are unwilling to provide financial data or support. This request reflects the professional judgment of the Office Financial Aid at the University of Baltimore only. You must reapply each year for consideration at UB or for any other institution to which you may attend.
Students who wish to apply for a Dependency Override must submit the following documentation:
- A letter of explanation, written by the student, explaining the extraordinary family circumstances that led to the student leaving the parent's household. The letter must include information on the student’s means of support and estimated annual expenses since leaving the parent's household.
- Letters (on letterhead) from three professionals verifying the family circumstances described by the student. Professionals may include guidance counselors, clergy members, teachers, doctors, family counselors, mental health professionals, and law enforcement personnel.
- Signed copies of the student's federal income tax returns for 2012.
Use one of the following methods to return the appeal and all required documentation:
- In person: We're located in the Academic Center room 126. Normal hours during the academic year are Monday - Thursday 8:30am to 6pm and Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm.
- Fax: Fax information to (410) 837-5493.
- Mail: You may mail forms to: Office of Financial Aid 1420 N. Charles St. Academic Center 123 Baltimore, MD 21201