The Office of Financial aid and Scholarships understands that students and their families may at times experience unique situations, and, as much as possible, is here to help. With appropriate documentation, the FAFSA or cost of attendance allownces that are specific to a students's situation may be adjusted. There are two categories of unique Situations: special and unusual circumstances.

Special Cirumstances

Special cirumstances are financial situations that support a change to the cost of attendance or student aid index (SAI) calculation.

Examples of Special Circumstances

Special Circumstacnes include:

  • Changes in employment
  • Change in where the student is living.
  • Medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance.
  • Child or dependent care expenses.
  • Sever disability of student or another member of student's household.
  • Other changes or adjustments that impact the student's costs or ability to pay for college

Special Circumstances does not include:

  • Consumer debt.
  • Family living expenses.
  • A parent’s unwillingness to borrow a Federal Direct PLUS Loan.
  • A different university offering more aid.
  • Purchase of a vechicle, etc.
  • Mortage or home repairs
  • Non-educational expenses such as pet care or vacations
Appeal for Special Circumstance

Unusual Circumstances

Unusual circmstances are conditions that support a change to a student's dependency status besed on a unique situation.

Unusual Circumstances include: 

  • Human trafficking. 
  • Refugee/asylee status. 
  • Parental abandonment or estrangement
  • Parental incarceration.
  • Physical or mentally abusive family environment. 

Unusual Circumstance dose not include:

  • Parent refusual to contribute to student's education.
  • Parents refusal to provide information for the FAFSA or verification.
  • Parent do not claim the student for income tax purposes, or that the student demonstrates total self-sufficiency.
Appeal for Unusual Circumstance