Undergraduates who have living parents will generally be required to file as dependent students. You may not file as an independent undergraduate student unless you have highly unusual circumstances. All financial aid applicants have the right to appeal the decision of their application. However, successful appeals are usually based on a significant change in family financial circumstances that occurred after the date you applied for aid. Appeals will be reviewed by a committee, and a final decision will be made only after all renewal and new applications have been made.
Most students can expect to receive very similar aid to what they had in the past.
Students who have never received aid can apply, but institutional funds are not reserved for this purpose.