FAFSA dependency override - does it last 3 years or need annual reapplication?

While you do need to submit the FAFSA each year, the school's policy on dependency overrides can vary. Some schools do indeed grant multi-year approvals for dependency overrides in cases where the circumstances are unlikely to change (like documented parental abuse, incarceration, abandonment, etc.). In these cases, they might not require you to resubmit all the same documentation each year. However, technically according to Federal Student Aid guidelines, dependency overrides are technically done on a case-by-case basis each award year. The school is probably trying to save you paperwork, but I would get this clarified in writing from the financial aid office.

my brother got a dependency override and had to redo all the paperwork EVERY single year. sooo much documentation 😩 maybe its different at each school??

The financial aid office is partially correct. While dependency overrides technically need to be reconsidered each year, many schools have a simplified renewal process for subsequent years after the initial approval. For years 2 and 3, the school might just require a statement confirming the circumstances haven't changed rather than all the original documentation. This is probably what they meant by "good for 3 years" - not that you skip the process entirely, but that the heavy documentation phase is complete. Professional judgment decisions are made yearly, but schools have discretion in how they collect follow-up information. I'd suggest asking them to clarify their specific renewal process so you're prepared.

Get it in writing NOW! My son lost his aid package sophomore year because the aid office told us verbally his dependency override would continue but it actually needed reapproval. When we went back they said "you should have known" and we had nothing to prove what we were told. Always get financial aid promises in writing!

I work in a financial aid office (different school). The professional judgment for dependency overrides must technically be made EACH award year - this is federal regulation. However, many schools have a simplified renewal process where you don't need to resubmit all documentation. You DO need to at minimum submit a statement confirming the unusual circumstances haven't changed. When they say "good for 3 years" they likely mean their internal policy allows for simplified renewal. But if ANYTHING changes in your situation, you need to let them know immediately. And yes, a new FAFSA is required annually regardless.

I've been dealing with FAFSA nightmares for years because of my unusual dependency situation. Have you tried calling the Federal Student Aid info center directly? I finally got through to them last month after weeks of trying by using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They hold your place in line and call you when an agent is about to answer. Saved me HOURS of hold time! They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ that shows how it works. When I finally talked to an FSA agent, they confirmed that dependency overrides need annual review but schools can simplify the renewal process at their discretion. I'd definitely call FSA to get the official word.

UPDATE: I just checked the most recent FSA Handbook. Here's what it says about dependency overrides: "A dependency override determination must be made each award year. However, if a financial aid administrator determines that an override is appropriate, the school may continue the override in subsequent years if the unusual circumstances persist." This matches what some people are saying about schools being able to simplify the process after the first year but still requiring some form of renewal.

one more thing to watch for - make SURE your daughtres school actually marks her as INDEPENDENT on next years FAFSA once its time! my sons school forgot to update his status the next year even tho they approved him and it messed up his whole SAI score. took MONTHS to fix it

As someone who's been through this process, I can confirm what others are saying - dependency overrides technically need to be reviewed each year, but many schools do streamline the renewal process after the initial approval. The key is getting clarity on YOUR school's specific policy. I'd recommend asking these specific questions when you contact them: 1. What exactly does "good for 3 years" mean in terms of required documentation? 2. Will you need to submit a statement each year confirming circumstances haven't changed? 3. What happens if your situation does change - how quickly do you need to notify them? 4. Can you get their renewal policy in writing? Also, keep detailed records of all your communications with the financial aid office. Screenshot emails, keep notes from phone calls with dates and names. This documentation could be crucial if there are any issues down the road. The fact that they told you it's "good for 3 years" suggests they do have a simplified renewal process, which is great news! But definitely get the specifics so you know exactly what's expected each year.

Just wanted to share my experience as another data point - I had a dependency override approved three years ago and it's been automatically renewed each year with minimal paperwork. My school requires me to submit a brief statement confirming my circumstances haven't changed, plus sign a form acknowledging that I understand I need to report any changes immediately. The process has been much simpler than the initial application (which was a nightmare of documentation), but I do have to actively do something each year - it's not completely automatic. I think the confusion comes from schools using different language to describe their policies. My advice would be to ask your daughter's school for a written outline of their dependency override renewal policy, including specific deadlines and requirements for years 2 and 3. That way you'll know exactly what to expect and when. Good luck!

I went through this exact same confusion last year! My financial aid advisor initially told me my dependency override was "set" for all four years, but when I dug deeper, I found out what they really meant was that I wouldn't have to go through the full documentation process again as long as my circumstances remained the same. Here's what I learned: You absolutely need to stay in communication with your financial aid office each year. Even with their "3-year approval," you'll likely need to submit some kind of annual confirmation that your situation hasn't changed. At my school, this meant filling out a one-page form each spring confirming my circumstances were still the same. The biggest thing that helped me was creating a calendar reminder for March each year to proactively reach out to financial aid, rather than waiting for them to contact me. Sometimes offices get busy and things slip through the cracks, so being proactive protects you. Also, make sure you understand what qualifies as a "change in circumstances" that would require you to notify them immediately. For some situations it's obvious, but for others it can be gray area. Getting clarity on this upfront will save you stress later. Definitely get their specific renewal process in writing as others have suggested - it's worth the extra step for peace of mind!

I'm a new community member and currently navigating this exact situation with my own child! Reading through all these responses has been incredibly eye-opening - I had no idea there was so much variation between schools in how they handle dependency override renewals. Based on what everyone is sharing, it sounds like the key takeaways are: 1. Get everything in writing from your financial aid office 2. Understand that while the heavy documentation may be done, some annual action is typically still required 3. Be proactive about staying in touch rather than assuming it's completely automatic 4. Keep detailed records of all communications I'm definitely going to follow the advice here and contact both my child's financial aid office AND the Federal Student Aid office directly to get clarity on the official policies versus our school's specific procedures. The tip about using Claimyr to avoid those endless hold times sounds like a lifesaver! Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - both the success stories and the cautionary tales. It's so valuable to have this kind of real-world insight from people who've actually been through this process.

As a newcomer to this community, I want to thank everyone for sharing such detailed and helpful experiences! I'm currently helping my nephew navigate his first dependency override application, and this thread has given me so much valuable insight about what to expect for the renewal process. It sounds like the most important thing is getting clear, written documentation from the school about their specific renewal policies rather than relying on verbal assurances. The experiences shared here - both positive and negative - really highlight how much schools can vary in their approaches and communication. I'm definitely going to bookmark this thread and refer back to it when we get to the renewal stage. The practical tips like setting calendar reminders and proactively contacting the financial aid office are exactly the kind of real-world advice you can't get from official websites. Thanks to everyone for creating such a supportive and informative discussion!