02/20/2026
Information Regarding Provisional Independent Verification
When a student submitted a FAFSA and answered “Yes” to one or more questions that could make you independent for financial aid purposes. Because of this, the Department of Education has flagged the student's FAFSA as provisionally independent.
What does provisionally independent mean?
It means the FAFSA system thinks the student might qualify as an independent student, but the school is required to collect additional information before that status can be confirmed.
Why does more information need submitted?
Some independent-status criteria require documentation, such as:
You were in foster care or a ward of the court
You are an unaccompanied homeless youth
You are married
You are supporting dependents
You are experiencing unusual circumstances (for example: family conflict, parental abandonment, or other situations affecting your ability to provide parent information)
The verification process helps us confirm the information the student reported so we can award financial aid accurately and as quickly as possible.
What happens next?
The student will receive a request from our office outlining exactly what documents or explanations we need. Once they are submitted:
We’ll review the students situation,
Confirm whether the student qualifies as independent,
Update the student's FAFSA status if needed, and
Finalize the student's financial aid package.
Don’t worry—we’re here to help!
We understand these questions can be personal or stressful. Our financial aid team will walk you through every step of the process with care and confidentiality.
