Unusual Circumstance Process
According to the Department of Education, financial aid regulations indicate that the family has primary responsibility for contributing to the educational costs of dependent students. An independent student is one who is 24 years old before January 1st of the year after the academic year began (click here to determine that date), is a veteran or on active duty, is married (as of FAFSA filing date), is a graduate student, is an orphan or ward of the court, or has dependents. However, the Financial Aid Office understands there may be family situations that warrant an independent for unusual circumstances, such as drug or physical abuse, neglect, abandonment, parental incarceration, human trafficking, refugee/asylee status or other unusual circumstances.
If this doesn't describe your situation please contact a Student Financial Counselor or call 616.732.1130 or 866.774.0004 to discuss your situation in more detail.
If the above does describe your situation, please submit the following documentation to the Student Financial Services Office for consideration of an independent override:
Student request form/professional statement
A letter explaining why you should be considered independent. Describe the unusual circumstances of your living situation, the separation from your parent(s) and the current status of your relationship with them now.
Secondary letter
Provide a letter from a relative or friend who is aware of your family’s situation. The letter must state the writer’s address, phone number, and relationship to you, along with his/her account of the events that led to your current living situation, separation from your parent(s), and the nature of your relationship with your parent(s) as he/she understands it to be currently.
Professional letter
Provide a letter from a professional adult to verify the family circumstances you described in your personal statement. The letter must be signed, dated, and on his/her company’s letterhead. Professional adults include, but are not limited to, clergy members, guidance counselors, teachers, doctors, family counselors, mental health professionals, and law enforcement officers.
Income documentation
Provide a copy of your Federal tax return, W-2 forms, and/or proof of untaxed income received in the year of income being reported on the FAFSA. Institutional Verification Form - This form can be found under the Forms section of the website.
Note: All information you provide will be held in the strictest of confidence.