Know This!
Professional Judgement For Special Or Unusual Circumstances
The U.S. Department of Education uses a formula to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) based on tax data from two years ago, which you provided on the FAFSA. The EFC determines your eligibility for need-based funding (Federal grants, Federal subsidized loans, and Federal Work Study).
If major changes occurred during the 2021, 2022, or 2023 calendar year that are not reflected on your FAFSA, you may be able to receive a financial aid adjustment.
Below are changes our office may review to update your eligibility for additional financial aid. If any of these circumstances apply to you, contact the Office of Financial Aid to request the petition form to submit with supporting documentation as indicated under each section.
Special circumstances refer to a financial situation that warrants an adjustment to the student’s cost of attendance or the data used to calculate the EFC.
Special circumstances may include but are not limited to:
- Loss of a job or reduction in income
- Divorce/separation/death of a parent or spouse on the FAFSA
- Medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance
- Child or dependent care expenses
Unusual Circumstances refer to the conditions that justify an adjustment to a student’s dependency status based on a unique situation (e.g., human trafficking, parental abuse or abandonment, incarceration), more commonly referred to as 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 demonstrated total self-sufficiency.
A student may have both a special circumstance and an unusual circumstance. The Office of Financial Aid may make adjustments that are appropriate to each student’s situation with appropriate documentation.