Office of Financial Aid

Professional Judgment/Special 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).

The American Rescue Plan (2021) requires us to make you aware of the options we can consider should you/your family experience economic hardship that impacts your ability to attend USF.

If major changes occured during the 2020 and/or 2021 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 to receive additional financial aid. If any of these circumstances apply to you, submit a corresponding petition form with supporting documentation as indicated under each section.

If you have already been awarded American Rescue Plan funds, completing a petition below does not necessarily make you eligible to receive additional ARP funding or other grand aid.

Documents Required

Parent Reduction in Income/Unemployment

  • Click here to access the required form and submit with the supporting documentation below.
  • Do your parent(s) 2020 taxes reflect their current financial situation?
    • If, yes
      •  Submit your parent's 2020 tax transcript and a typewritten statement explaining the change and any pertinent details of the situation.
    • If, no
      • Submit the 2021 completed tax return or the following documentation below:
        • Typewritten statement specifically explaining the change and any pertinent details of the situation
        • Letter from former employer(s) on letterhead indicating the last date of employment and YTD gross earning
        • If self-employed, submit the Self-Employment Addendum.
        • Most Recent Paystub(s)
        • Unemployment Benefits Statement if reduction in income was due to unemployment
  • For loss of one-time benefit (for example, a lump sum settlement):

Student Reduction in Income/Unemployment

  • Click here to access the required form and submit with the supporting documentation below.
  • Do your 2020 taxes reflect your current financial situation?
    • If, yes
      • Submit your 2020 tax transcript and a typewritten statement explaining the change and any pertinent details of the situation.
    • If, no
      • Submit your 2021 completed tax return or the following documentation below:
        • Typewritten statement specifically explaining the change and any pertinent details of the situation
        • Letter from former employer(s) on letterhead indicating the last date of employment and YTD gross earning
        • If self-employed, submit the Self-Employment Addendum. 
        • Most Recent Paystub(s)
        • Unemployment Benefits Statement if reduction in income was due to unemployment
  • For loss of one-time benefit (for example, a lump sum settlement):

 

Death of Spouse

  • Click here to access the required form and submit with the supporting documentation below.
  • If, at any point between when you filed the FAFSA and June 30, 2022, you experienced the death of your spouse, please provide the following:

Death of Parent

  • Click here to access the required form and submit with the supporting documentation below.
  • If, at any point between when you filed the FAFSA and June 30, 2022, you experienced the death of a parent, please provide the following:

COVID Related Expenses: Medical Expenses or a Computer Purchase

In order to be considered for the adjustments below, you must have been awarded up to your cost of attendance and have accepted all aid offered (including student loans). Completing this process does not guarantee you will receive American Rescue Plan Funds or other grant aid, and typically the only source of additional financial assistance from this process is loans.

  • Unreimbursed medical related expenses due to COVID
    • During the 12-month income period reflected on your FAFSA, did your family have medical expenses for any members of the household which were not covered/reimbursed by insurance?
  • Computer Purchase
    • Purchase must be made between August 2021 and July 2022.
    • Copies of paid receipts with the following circled:
      • Date purchased
      • Item purchased
      • Amount paid
    • If approved, adjustments may not cover full costs of the purchase.
  • If you have either of these expenses, please reach out to our office to schedule an appointment with a financial aid advisor.
 

Additional Resources

As a result of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (2021), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have been made available to college students who are enrolled at least half-time and are eligible to participate in the federal work study program or who have an EFC of $0 based on completion of the FAFSA.

Should you wish to apply for SNAP food assistance benefits, you can complete the online application at: https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/.

Final eligibility will be determined by the State of Florida Department of Children and Families, so please direct any follow up questions by calling 850-300-4323.