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Special Circumstances/Unusual Circumstance Appeals
Special Circumstances/Unusual Circumstance Appeals
Certain situations or events can impact a family’s ability to pay for college. If you believe the information provided on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) does not fully reflect your circumstances, it is important to notify us about any special or unusual situations. While we will carefully review your case, please note that our ability to make adjustments is limited, and submitting this form does not guarantee changes to your aid eligibility or dependency status.
The Professional Judgment Special Circumstances Appeal allows you to request adjustments to the data used in the Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation or to your dependency status (e.g., from dependent to independent) due to special or unusual circumstances. The Office of Financial Aid will review your case upon successful completion and submission of the web form.
The outcome of this appeal will depend on the specific details you provide. However, submitting this form does not guarantee an adjustment to your financial aid or dependency status. Additionally, any outstanding balance must be paid by the Fee Payment Deadline, even if your request is still under review.
Difference Between Special and Unusual Circumstances
Special Circumstances
Special Circumstances are financial situations leading to changes to data elements in the COA or SAI calculations such as:
- Changes to family income, assets, etc.
- Recent unemployment
- Dislocated Worker
- Housing change due to homelessness
Examples of Supporting Documentation Needed for Special Circumstance Consideration are:
- Documented interview between student and Financial Aid Administrator
- Statements from students, parents, spouses, or third parties
- Statements from school staff
- Court/legal documentation
- Other supplementary information on applicants’ financial status or personal circumstances
Unusual Circumstances
Unusual Circumstances are conditions leading to changes to a students’ dependency status (AKA dependency override) such as:
- Human trafficking
- Refugee or asylee status
- Parental abandonment, incarceration, etc.
- Unable to contact parents
- Contact with parent poses risk
Examples of Supporting Documentation Needed for Special Circumstance Consideration are:
- Documented interviews between applicant and Financial Aid Administrator
- Submission of court order or official Federal or State documentation showing that students’ parents or legal guardian(s) are incarcerated
- Documented phone call or written statement from attorney, guardian ad litem, court-appointed special advocate (or similar), or representative or TRIO or GEAR UP confirming applicant’s circumstances and person’s relationship to student.
- Documented determination of independence made by FAA at another institution in same or prior award year.
Process and Timeline
Process and timeline for submitting a Special/Unusual Circumstance Appeal:
- Student determines if a special/unusual circumstance appeal is warranted based on the outlined information above.
- If so, student submits the Special/Unusual Circumstance Appeal and upload all supporting documentation.
- All documentation is reviewed, and dependency decisions will be rendered no later than 60 days of the student enrolling.
- Final determination notification is sent to the student. If approved, financial aid award adjustments are updated, and new financial aid award letters are issued to the student.
The Following are NOT considered special financial circumstances:
- Refusal of parent to provide financial support to the applicant/student
- Anything that is forecasted to happen in the future
- If you already have an SAI of zero (0) or and (-) number, there is no need to complete this form.