Special Circumstance: EFC Calculation Appeal
Financial Aid and Scholarships provides a Special Circumstance: EFC Calculation Appeal regarding changes to a family's financial situation, based on new information submitted by the student. On exception, Financial Aid and Scholarships will review and consider changes to the student's available aid based on the information provided. The Special Circumstance: EFC Calculation Appeal for 2023-24 will be made available in July.
Completing a Special Circumstance: EFC Calculation Appeal is the process of allowing students/families to address income changes in the current calendar year, versus the previous year. The income change may result in a revision to the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), and any change in the EFC will help our office determine whether a student becomes eligible for additional financial aid. Students/families can also get an estimate of these changes by using the UC Davis Financial Aid Estimator, which provides provides an estimation of financial aid for prospective full-time, undergraduate students.
Does your Student Aid Report reflect an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $0?
If so, you have already been offered the maximum amount of financial aid available at UC Davis. Submitting a Special Circumstance: EFC Calculation Appeal at this time cannot further decrease your EFC of $0, and therefore will not make a student eligible for additional financial aid. If a student's expenses exceed the estimated cost of attendance, then the student can consider submitting a Cost of Attendance Appeal.
Changes Warranting a Family Contribution Review
Changes warranting a family contribution review are limited to these specific situations:
- Layoff/Unemployment
- Disability
- Retirement
- Death
- Divorce/Separation
- Child or spousal support
- Out-of-pocket medical costs not covered by insurance occurring between January and December of 2023. Expenses must not exceed medical expenses as allowed by financial aid regulations.
- Change in the number of family members in the household to whom you or your parents provide more than 50% support.
Please allow 6-8 weeks for processing time as Special Circumstance: EFC Calculation Appeals will be reviewed in the order received. You will be notified by Financial Aid and Scholarships when your appeal has been processed, or if any additional information is required.
Please note, that if selected for verification, your appeal will not be reviewed until after verification has been completed.
Special Circumstance: EFC Calculation Appeal Instructions
Special Circumstance: EFC Calculation Appeals for 2022-23 are no longer available but the following processing information is for the 2023-24 academic year.
PROCESSING TIMES
The review process will take 6-8 weeks.
Appeal review for these listed categories begins on July 1, 2023:
- Disability
- Retirement
- Divorce/separation
- Child or spousal support
- Out-of-pocket medical
- Death of a parent
- Layoff/unemployment
Please note: The deadline for fall 2023 quarter tuition and fees is September 15, 2023. If your appeal request has not been processed in advance of this due date, you may submit a Deferred Payment Plan request through the Student Accounting office before the deadline of September 15, 2023.
DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
LOSS OF INCOME/RESOURCES:
As a result of layoff/unemployment, disability, retirement, divorce/separation, child or spousal support
The following documentation is required:
- Complete signed 2022 tax return and all 2022 W-2s (REQUIRED for all appeals with changes in income)
- Anticipated income for the remaining months of 2023
- Three (3) most current earnings statements from each job held between January and December 2023
- If laid off, a letter of termination from the employer and a copy of the final earnings statement
- Notice of unemployment insurance award
- Disability benefits eligibility letter
- Retirement benefits statement
- Divorce decree or statement of separation
- Agency verification of loss or reduction of benefits
- Court/legal documentation (child/spousal support) verifying the date support ends
DEATH
Documentation required:
- Death Certificate
- Any information about income from death (i.e., life insurance, death benefits, pension plans)
OUT-OF-POCKET MEDICAL COSTS NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE
Medical expenses must be significant* and must have been paid by parents or students between January and December 2023.
Documentation required:
- Receipts and/or billing statements from medical provider(s) that the family or student has paid out of pocket. Past due or unpaid bills are not accepted.
- Itemized statement from insurance company documenting costs not covered by insurance.
Please complete and attach the Itemized Medical Expenses Form when submitting your appeal.
*Significant out-of-pocket medical expenses, as defined by the Department of Education, begin at $2,098 for a household of one parent with one student in college.
CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF FAMILY MEMBERS
Include any changes to the number of family members. These family members must be someone for who you, or your parents, provide more than 50% support.
Documentation required:
- Provide a detailed statement explaining the reason for the change.
- List names, ages, relationships, and number in college.
Appeals for the 2022-23 academic year are no longer available.
Special Circumstance: EFC Calculation Appeal Submission Instructions
StudentForms allows you to submit documents electronically directly to UC Davis Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Please review the following before continuing to StudentForms:
1. You will need to register with your student information before requesting a Special Circumstance: EFC Calculation Appeal. Once you are logged on, you may request the appeal by selecting the "Manage Requests" button.
2. When requesting the Special Circumstance: EFC Calculation Appeal, you will need to enter an explanation for the request. This is not your appeal statement, so please keep your explanation brief.
3. Once the request is submitted, you will see the documents needed before completing the appeal submission process. Please note, the Third-Party Documentation students are required to upload refers to any supporting document for a student's appeal (i.e., taxes, bills, additional statements, etc.). If Financial Aid and Scholarships requests additional documentation; it will also be labeled as "Third-Party Documentation".
4. Once all appeal documents are uploaded, click the "Submit" button, then the "Finish" button.
Financial Aid and Scholarships will begin reviewing appeals on July 1, and the review process can take 6-8 weeks.