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 the 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.