Dependency Override

Most undergraduate students at RIT are considered financially dependent on their parents. This means their parents must provide their financial information on their students' FAFSA. However, RIT recognizes that some students may have unusual circumstances where contact with parents is not possible and/or poses a risk. These circumstances may require students to request a reconsideration of their dependency status. Reviews of dependency override requests are performed on a case-by-case basis by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for students with unusual circumstances.

The following are examples of unusual circumstances that may warrant a dependency override:

• Human trafficking as described in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.)
• Legally granted refugee or asylum status
• Parental abandonment or estrangement
• Incarceration or institutionalization of both parents
• Abusive family environment

The following circumstances would NOT be considered for a dependency override:

• Parents refuse to contribute to the student’s education
• Parents will not provide information for the FAFSA or for Verification
• Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes
• Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency

Students who feel they meet the criteria for an unusual circumstance and would like to request a dependency override should email ritaid@rit.edu or call (585) 475-2186 for assistance.