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Sarah
Student
Louisville, Kentucky
2
Questions
Asked
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How can I communicate clearly with Financial Aid offices to get the help I need?
In 12th grade, parents are unable to pay for college.
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1 answer
George Zou, M.S.
Academic Advisor
36
Answers
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Updated
George’s Answer
Hi Sarah,
There is a big difference between parents are unable to pay for college and parents are unwilling to pay for college. I'll go ahead and answer both! Communicating clearly with Financial Aid offices is very important, especially when your parents cannot help pay for college. One good way to start is by writing a short and polite email that explains who you are, what grade you’re in, and your situation. Be honest and clear by saying that your parents are unable to contribute to college costs, and that you want to understand what options you have. Ask specific questions, like “What documents do I need?” or “Are there grants or scholarships I can apply for?” This helps the staff know exactly how to help you.
It also helps to stay organized. Keep copies of every email, deadline, and form so you don’t miss anything. If you get confused, it’s okay to ask them to explain things in simpler terms. Financial Aid offices are used to helping students, and they won’t be upset if you need extra guidance. Being polite, clear, and prepared will make it much easier for them to support you.
One way to overcome this is to apply for independent student status through dependency override.
Applying for a dependency override is a way to ask the Financial Aid office to treat you as an independent student on the FAFSA, even if you are normally considered dependent. This is only for students who have special or difficult situations, like unsafe home environments, abandonment, or where parents refuse to communicate at all. Not having parents who want or are able to pay for college is not enough by itself — there must be unusual circumstances.
Here’s how you can try to apply:
1. Contact the Financial Aid office
Send a polite email or call them. Say that you want to request a “dependency override.” Explain very briefly why you cannot rely on your parents and why you cannot get their information for the FAFSA.
2. They will tell you what documents they need
Most colleges will ask for:
A written personal statement from you explaining your situation
Letters from adults who know what’s going on (like a counselor, teacher, doctor, pastor, or social worker)
Any documents that prove your situation, if you have them
3. Write your personal statement
Explain your family situation in a calm, clear way. Tell them why you cannot get your parents’ financial information and why it is not safe or possible for you to depend on them.
4. Submit everything by the deadline
The Financial Aid office will review your documents. Every school makes its own decision, so you must follow their instructions carefully.
5. Wait for their decision
If they approve your dependency override, you will be considered an independent student, which means you qualify for more aid because only your income is counted.
There is a big difference between parents are unable to pay for college and parents are unwilling to pay for college. I'll go ahead and answer both! Communicating clearly with Financial Aid offices is very important, especially when your parents cannot help pay for college. One good way to start is by writing a short and polite email that explains who you are, what grade you’re in, and your situation. Be honest and clear by saying that your parents are unable to contribute to college costs, and that you want to understand what options you have. Ask specific questions, like “What documents do I need?” or “Are there grants or scholarships I can apply for?” This helps the staff know exactly how to help you.
It also helps to stay organized. Keep copies of every email, deadline, and form so you don’t miss anything. If you get confused, it’s okay to ask them to explain things in simpler terms. Financial Aid offices are used to helping students, and they won’t be upset if you need extra guidance. Being polite, clear, and prepared will make it much easier for them to support you.
One way to overcome this is to apply for independent student status through dependency override.
Applying for a dependency override is a way to ask the Financial Aid office to treat you as an independent student on the FAFSA, even if you are normally considered dependent. This is only for students who have special or difficult situations, like unsafe home environments, abandonment, or where parents refuse to communicate at all. Not having parents who want or are able to pay for college is not enough by itself — there must be unusual circumstances.
Here’s how you can try to apply:
1. Contact the Financial Aid office
Send a polite email or call them. Say that you want to request a “dependency override.” Explain very briefly why you cannot rely on your parents and why you cannot get their information for the FAFSA.
2. They will tell you what documents they need
Most colleges will ask for:
A written personal statement from you explaining your situation
Letters from adults who know what’s going on (like a counselor, teacher, doctor, pastor, or social worker)
Any documents that prove your situation, if you have them
3. Write your personal statement
Explain your family situation in a calm, clear way. Tell them why you cannot get your parents’ financial information and why it is not safe or possible for you to depend on them.
4. Submit everything by the deadline
The Financial Aid office will review your documents. Every school makes its own decision, so you must follow their instructions carefully.
5. Wait for their decision
If they approve your dependency override, you will be considered an independent student, which means you qualify for more aid because only your income is counted.
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Sarah