Special rules for independent students

In making a determination of independence under section 1087vv(d)(8) of this title, a financial aid administrator shall comply with the following: Consider documentation of the student’s circumstance to be adequate in the absence of documented conflicting information, if such documentation is provided through a documented phone call, written statement, or verifiable electronic data match by— If a student is unable to provide documentation from any individual described in paragraph (1), make a case-by-case determination, which shall be— If an institution requires that a student provide documentation that the student was in foster care when the student was age 13 or older, a financial aid administrator shall consider any of the following as adequate documentation, in the absence of documented conflicting information: A documented phone call, written statement, or verifiable electronic data match, which confirms the student was in foster care at an applicable age, from— A determination of independence under paragraph (2), (8), or (9) of section 1087vv(d) of this title for a student— Any student who is determined to be independent under paragraph (2), (8), or (9) of section 1087vv(d) of this title for a preceding award year at an institution shall be presumed to be independent for each subsequent award year at the same institution unless— A financial aid administrator may make a determination of independence pursuant to section 1087tt(c) of this title, this section, or paragraph (2), (8), or (9) of section 1087vv(d) of this title, based upon a documented determination of independence that was previously made by another financial aid administrator under such provisions in the same or a prior award year. A financial aid administrator shall retain all documents related to any determination of independence, including documented interviews, for at least the duration of the student’s enrollment and an additional period prescribed by the Secretary to enable a student to utilize the documents for the purposes of subsection (a)(1)(D), (b)(5), or (d) of this section.