Request for Financial Aid Award Review
The Office of Student Financial Aid understands that the financial aid process does not always match up with every family’s unique situation. Because of that, you have the chance to share more details about your specific circumstances with us. If you want to request a review, you will need to schedule a meeting with a financial aid representative. You can request a review at any time if there has been a change in your family’s circumstances.
A Financial Aid Award Review can be considered for special situations like:
- A significant reduction or loss of work income (lasting at least four weeks)
- Loss of employment or untaxed income or benefits
- Unusually high medical or dental expenses that aren’t covered by insurance
- Legal separation or divorce after you’ve submitted your financial aid application
- The death of a parent after you filed your financial aid application
- Any changes that affect your family’s financial situation
Once you submit your request, a committee in the Office of Student Financial Aid will review it. Their decision is based on the documents you provide and the guidelines set by Stetson University and federal/state regulations. All committee decisions are final.
Your request will not be reviewed until all the required documentation is submitted. Also, keep in mind that no additional need-based aid will be considered if you have not accepted the need-based self-help aid (like the Federal Direct Subsidized Student Loan).
It may take up to ten business days for the office to review and evaluate your request after you have submitted everything. If more documents are needed, the decision process might be delayed.
Dependency Override
The Office of Student Financial Aid knows that sometimes family circumstances change, and in some cases, your situation with your parents might be different. If you are a dependent student with unusual circumstances, you can appeal for a dependency override.
If approved, this would make you an independent student (for financial aid purposes only), which means you will no need to provide your parents’ information on your FAFSA.
Dependency Override Application
You need to complete and return the Dependency Override Certification application or Re-certification application. Each case is reviewed individually, and all information is kept private. Submitting an appeal does not guarantee approval.
Once your application and all the required documents are submitted, the Office of Student Financial Aid will review your situation. Starting in the 2024-2025 academic year, students who have an approved dependency override will be considered independent for the rest of their undergraduate years at Stetson University. However, Stetson University’s decision will not carry over if you transfer to another school.
You will get an email in your Stetson University account letting you know the results of your appeal. If it is approved, you will need to go through the FAFSA verification process, and you might have to provide additional documents.
The supporting documents you need to provide will depend on your unusual circumstances. You will need to submit documentation for each parent, if applicable.
If you have any questions about your situation, you can make an appointment through the Office of Student Financial Aid.