Dependency Overrides
The Higher Education Act of 1992 allows financial aid administrators to make professional judgment (PJ) decisions for special or unusual family or student circumstances. These circumstances of PJ decisions must be documented. Circumstances requiring professional judgment decisions must be analyzed on a case-by-case basis. Dependency Overrides (DO) fall under the category of professional judgment. While Financial Aid Administrators (FAAs) are given considerable latitude in exercising PJ, there has been some guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) regarding dependency overrides (see Federal Student Aid Handbook – Application and Verification Guide).
KU students with unusual family circumstances who may be eligible for a dependency override.
Initial Request
If a student requests a Dependency Override (DO), he/she is advised to schedule an appointment with one of our Financial Aid Counselors. During that appointment, the Financial Aid Counselor will ask the student to provide details about the family situation. The Financial Aid Counselor will ask the student to provide as much documentation of the situation as possible. The student must also submit a written, signed request for a DO.
Documentation
Acceptable documentation may include:
1. Court Documents
2. Police Reports
3. Death Certificates (in situations where one parent is deceased)
4. Signed letters from professionals who are aware of the student’s situation (high school counselors, therapists, case workers, clergy persons). These letters should be on letterhead and must be signed.
Decision
Once a Professional Judgment decision is made, the Assistant Director for Professional Judgement will send written notification of the decision to the student with instructions on how to proceed with the FAFSA application process.
Dependency Overrides from Other Schools
Students who have received a DO from another school are not automatically eligible for a DO from KU. The student must request a DO at KU, including submission of acceptable documentation.
Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships
1502 Building
1502 Iowa Street
Lawrence, KS 66045
financialaid@ku.edu
785-864-4700
12/12/2022: Reviewed; no updates.
11/11/2021: Reviewed and updated.
12/09/2020: Reviewed policy; no updates.
09/30/2019: Updated contact information.
11/09/2017: Updated contacts
