Special Circumstances
2023-2024 Special Circumstances Request Form
Your eligibility for financial aid is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which currently uses financial information from two years prior to estimate a household’s current circumstances. We recognize that households can experience changes in income or other finances that are not reflected in their information from two years prior.
When these situations occur, it is possible to request a reconsideration of a student’s aid offer based on their current circumstances through the professional judgment process. All special circumstance applications are required to have a detailed letter of explanation and supporting documentation. (If your FAFSA has been selected for Verification, a Special Circumstance cannot be processed for changes until verification is complete.)
There must be a significant change to the household finances to be considered for a Special Circumstance.
Non-applicable Circumstances
· Standard living expenses (utilities, car payments, etc)
· Mortgage payments
· Credit card/other personal debts
· Filing for bankruptcy
· Vacation expenses
· All other discretionary expenses
Applicable Circumstances
Change to Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
· Loss or change of employment
o Note: A change in student’s aid eligibility will likely not occur if:
§ The person who lost employment has currently been rehired and is earning a similar or higher salary than two years prior
§ The loss or change to income was not significant
· Child Support reduction or change
· Divorce/Separation of parents/spouse
· Change of marital status for dependent students
· Death of parent(s) or spouse
· Excessive out of pocket medical and/or dental expenses that exceed 11% of household’s Adjusted Gross Income
· One-time taxable income (IRA disbursement, pension distribution, etc)
A change to the EFC could, but is not guaranteed to, result in a change of eligibility for need based awards.
Documentation Required for Special Circumstances
At a minimum, a student will be required to submit the following information if requested:
· Signed copies of federal income tax return for the requested tax year(s).
· Tax returns are required even if the IRS DRT was used. This is because the IRS DRT does not give the Office of Financial Aid all of the data elements needed to reassess tax values as a result of adjusting income.
· All tax schedules and attachments associated with the requested tax return(s).
· W-2’s for the appropriate tax year(s).
· Documentation of untaxed income (if applicable).
· Third party documentation, as needed, to validate the request for a “second look” of FAFSA data. Examples of documentation include unemployment claim payment history, layoff notice, severance letter, legal separation papers or divorce decree, death certificate, and explanation of benefits for unreimbursed exceptional medical/dental expenses not covered by insurance.
In each case, you must complete our Special Circumstances Request Form and provide the documentation listed on the form before we can review your request.
Unusual Circumstances / Dependency Override Request
Requesting a reconsideration of your dependent status through Dependency Override.
Your eligibility for financial aid is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which currently uses financial information from yourself and your parents if you do not meet any of the established independent statuses. We recognize that students can experience unusual circumstances in their households that may require additional consideration.
When these situations occur, it is possible to re-evaluate a student's aid eligibility based on their current circumstances through the Dependency Override process. All Dependency Override applications are required to have a detailed letter of explanation and supporting documentation. There must be unusual circumstances in the household to be considered for a Dependency Override.
Unusual circumstances do not include:
• Parents refuse to contribute to the student's education
• Parents will not provide information for the FAFSA or verification
• Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes
• Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency
It is very important to note that when it comes to dependency overrides, there is a distinction between parents who are unable to provide information and parents who are unwilling to complete a child's FAFSA. Unfortunately, many parents will refuse to complete their section of the FAFSA which prevents the student from receiving financial aid. Students can remind their parents that submitting their information on the FAFSA does not obligate them to pay for college. However, refusal to provide parental data on the FAFSA form will prevent the student from receiving financial aid. Sometimes a parent is concerned about the privacy of their tax data. Students can remind their parents that all financial aid information is confidential and protected under the Family Education and Privacy Act (FERPA).
The phrase "unusual circumstances" means a situation that makes it inappropriate to expect a parental contribution for the student. The following unusual circumstances may warrant a dependency override and include:
• Parents are deceased
• Parents are incarcerated or institutionalized
• The student comes from an abusive family
• Parents cannot be located
• The student has been abandoned
The Financial Aid Office understands that many students have unique family dynamics. Students are asked to contact the Office of Financial Aid to explain their special circumstances and to request a Dependency Override. This form must be completed by the student and submitted to the Financial Aid Office with all required supporting documentation. All information and documentation provided by the student is considered confidential. Please note that submission of a petition does not guarantee that a dependency override will be approved. Additionally, a dependency override performed at another school during the school year is not transferable to East Central.
Documentation Required for Dependency Override
In each case, the student must complete our Dependency Override Form as well as:
• Personal, detailed statement fully explaining the situation
• Two letters from third parties that verify and support the circumstances described in the personal statement
Dependency Status Review for Unusual Circumstances Form
