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In certain cases, students may wish to submit information about their financial situation in relation to their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Office of Financial Aid may be able to provide assistant based on special circumstances.

A family’s current situation may not be accurately reflected on the FAFSA as it is based on financial data from two years prior and may also change once the FAFSA is filed. Review the examples listed on this page, and please contact the Office of Financial Aid or schedule a virtual appointment to discuss any special circumstance you would like to have reviewed.

Examples of Special Circumstances Considered

  • Higher than usual student cost of attendance due to child care expense, health insurance, disability related expenses, etc.

  • Loss or reduction of income (layoff, illness, forced reduction of hours, temporary employment, etc.)

  • Catastrophic medical or dental expenses

  • Death, divorce, or separation of parents or spouse

  • Non-recurring payments receiving during the FAFSA tax year that will not be repeated

  • Loss of benefits, such as unemployment, disability, social security, veterans, child support, or alimony

Examples of Special Circumstances NOT Considered

  • Increase of standard living expenses

  • Purchasing material items such as a car, home appliances, vacations, second homes, etc.

  • Reduction of assets. Changes in assets will be reflected on the following year’s FAFSA.

  • Credit issues, line of credit changes, previous student loan debt, etc.

  • Medical bills paid by health insurance or that will be reimbursed by health care coverage

  • Siblings or parents who are also attending college. Siblings are already taken into account on the FAFSA. Students cannot list their parents in the number in college.

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