Special Circumstance Review

Special Circumstances Review for Parental and/or Student Contribution

On an exceptional basis in response to the difficult economic hardships many families are facing these days, the Financial Aid Office is providing the Special Circumstances Appeal Form earlier in the year. The deadline to submit an appeal is February 12, 2010.

Completing a Special Circumstances Appeal is the process that allows students/families to address income changes in the current calendar year versus the previous year. Please note the types of situations that warrant review are limited to loss of income/resources due to death, divorce, layoff, retirement, unemployment, disability, child or spousal support, medical costs, or change in the number of family members in the household.

The income change may result in a change in the EFC, and the change in EFC can further determine if a student becomes eligible for additional financial aid.

If you decide that you want to submit a Special Circumstances Appeal, you may download the Special Circumstances Appeal Form. Due to the high workload during the Summer (June- September), please allow for processing time as Special Circumstances appeals will be reviewed in order received over the Summer.

You will be notified by a Financial Aid Officer regarding any additional information and when your appeal is processed.

Please note: if selected for verification, your appeal will not be reviewed until after verification is completed.

INSTRUCTIONS

In addition to the Special Circumstance appeal form you will be asked to provide the following:

  • A detailed, written statement explaining the reason(s) for the parent’s and/or student’s change of income in the current calendar year versus the previous year, including specific dates of change. Attach additional documentation as required; please review the information listed below.
  • A signed federal tax return from the previous tax year for parent and/or student. Include all schedules, W-2s, and attachments.

THE TYPES OF SITUATIONS THAT WARRANT REVIEW ARE LIMITED TO

LOSS OF INCOME/RESOURCES: DEATH, DIVORCE, LAYOFF, RETIREMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT, DISABILITY, CHILD OR SPOUSAL SUPPORT

Documentation required

  • Three (3) most current pay stubs from each job held between Jan - Dec of the current year
  • If laid off, letter of termination from employer and copy of final pay stub
  • Disability benefits eligibility letter
  • Notice of unemployment insurance award
  • Retirement benefits statement
  • Anticipated income for the remaining months of the current year
  • Death Certificate
  • Any information about income from death (i.e., life insurance, death benefits, pension plans)
  • Divorce decree or statement of separation
  • Agency verification of loss of benefits
  • Court/legal documentation (child/spousal support) verifying date support ends

MEDICAL COSTS

(NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE) PAID BY PARENTS OR STUDENT BETWEEN JANUARY-DECEMBER. Expenses must not exceed medical expenses (as allowed by financial aid regulations).

Documentation required

  • Receipts, billing statements from medical provider(s)
  • Itemized statement from insurance company documenting costs not covered by insurance

FAMILY MEMBERS

  • (CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF FAMILY MEMBERS FOR WHOM 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.

*On the Special Circumstance appeal form you will be asked to complete an estimated calendar year income January-December for the current year, in which you will provide information only for the person(s) who is/are documenting the change in income.