If there was a significant change from the information on the FAFSA or you have experienced additional expenses,
we may be able to reevaluate your financial aid. Below are the circumstances that are eligible for review.
Change in Income Appeal
If you, your parent(s)/guardian(s), or spouse have faced financial hardship since you filed your FAFSA, you may be able to submit a Change in Income Appeal.
Submissions of this form does not guarantee an increase or adjustment to financial aid and additional documentation will be required before an adjustment can be made. Please contact the GCC Financial Aid Office to request a Special Circumstance form.
We cannot consider appeals for the follow reasons:
- Debt such as mortgages, consumer debt, bankruptcy, or parent's student loans
Other Circumstances
The following are situations that we will consider for dependent students (required to provide parental information on the FAFSA):
- Parent Divorce or Separation: If your parents whose information was provided on the FAFSA have gotten divorced or separated since the FAFSA was filed, contact our office.
- Death of a Parent: A parent whose income was used on the 2023-2024 FAFSA has died. Contact our office
and provide the date of death and both parents' 2021 W-2 forms.
- Childcare Expenses: A parent has unreimbursed childcare expenses in 2021 and those expenses will continue
in 2023.
- Medical Expenses: If your parents paid over $2,000 in medical expenses in 2021 that were not covered
by insurance, we may be able to adjust your FAFSA.
- Unemployment in 2021: If your parent received unemployment benefits in 2021 that were included in the income on the FAFSA.
The following are situations that we will consider for independent students (not required to provide parental information on the FAFSA):
- Student Divorce or Separation: If you have gotten divorced or separated since the FAFSA was filed.
- Death of a Spouse: The student's spouse whose income was provided on the 2023-2024 FAFSA has died.
Contact us and provide the date of death and 2021 W-2 forms for both the student and
spouse.
- Unemployment in 2021: If you received unemployment benefits in 2021 that were included in the income on the FAFSA.
Students who have had a change in financial circumstances should contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Dependency Overrride Appeal
A Dependency Override Appeal is used if a student has unusual or special circumstances that prevent them from providing parental information on the FAFSA.
It's important to remember that you must complete the FAFSA before you can apply for a Dependency Override Appeal. The FAFSA allows you to leave off parental information if you have special circumstances.
What circumstances qualify for a Dependency Override?
The U.S. Department of Education provides the following examples of special circumstances:
- You have been legally removed from your parents’ or legal guardians’ home.
- You have a documented case of abuse by parent(s).
- Incapacity of parent(s) such as incarceration, mental or physical illness.
- You are a refugee whose parents are in another country, and you are not able to locate them.
- Other extenuating circumstances that can be sufficiently documented.
What circumstances do not qualify for a Dependency Override?
The circumstances listed below do not qualify as unusual or special circumstances and do not merit a dependency override.
- Your parents do not want to provide their information on your FAFSA; or
- Your parents refuse to contribute to your college expenses; or
- Your parents do not claim you as a dependent on their income taxes; or
- You do not live with your parents.
What documentation is needed for a Dependency Override appeal?
You need to provide a statement that addresses the unusual or special circumstances that prevent you from providing your parent(s)’ information on the FAFSA.
You must also provide a letter from a professional person (counselor, teacher, caseworker, clergy) documenting the unusual circumstances or provide legal documentation. The letter must be on letterhead from the institution/business they represent.
Students requesting a Dependency Override should contact the GCC Financial Aid Office to discuss such appeals.
