Education Code section 66020.8
(a)
For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:(1)
“Adjustment for unusual circumstances” means an unusual circumstances adjustment, as described in 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1087tt(c) and 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1087vv(d)(9), regarding the dependency status of a financial aid applicant.(2)
“Applicant” means a financial aid applicant attending, or applying to attend, the California State University, California Community Colleges, or University of California.(3)
“Financial aid” means any form of student financial aid or institutional financial aid.(4)
“Financial aid administrator” means a financial aid administrator of the California State University, California Community Colleges, or University of California for purposes of determining institutional financial aid of the applicant, or the Student Aid Commission for purposes of determining student financial aid of the applicant, as applicable.(5)
“Institutional financial aid” means all institutional grant aid, including institutional student need-based and merit-based aid.(6)
“Local educational agency” means a school district, charter school, or county office of education.(7)
“Sworn attestation” means a statement signed under penalty of perjury by an authorized representative of a local educational agency, county child welfare department, or probation department. The attestation shall include all of the following:(A)
The name, organization, and title of the attester.(B)
A declaration that the attester has provided services, instruction, or assistance to the student.(C)
A declaration that the attester is familiar with the student’s relationship with their parent or parents, as defined in Section 668.2(b) of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations.(D)
A declaration that, to the best of the attester’s personal knowledge, the student is either unable to contact their parent or parents, or contacting their parent or parents would pose a risk to the student.(b)
For purposes of making an adjustment for unusual circumstances of an applicant, a financial aid administrator shall accept a sworn attestation as sufficient documentation for purposes of 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1087tt(a)(3)(B).(c)
This section does not prohibit a financial aid administrator from accepting other types of adequate documentation to substantiate a student’s unusual circumstances in accordance with 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1087tt(a)(3).(d)
The Regents of the University of California are requested to adopt a policy to implement this section.
Source:
Section 66020.8, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=66020.8. (updated Jan. 1, 2026; accessed Dec. 8, 2025).
