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Professional Judgement For Special Or Unusual Circumstances

2024-2025 FAFSA 
The U.S. Department of Education uses a formula to determine your Student Aid Index (SAI) based on data provided on your FAFSA for the prior calendar year. The SAI determines your eligibility for need based funding (Federal Grants, Federal Direct Subsidized Loans, and Federal Work Study).

If major changes occurred during the 2023, 2024 and/or 2025 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 for additional financial aid. If any of these circumstances apply to you, contact the Office of Financial Aid to request the petition form to submit with supporting documentation as indicated under each section.

Special circumstances refer to a financial situation that warrants an adjustment to the student鈥檚 cost of attendance or the data used to calculate the SAI.

Special circumstances may include but are not limited to:

  • Loss of a job or reduction in income
  • Divorce/separation/death of a parent or spouse on the FAFSA
  • Medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance
  • Child or dependent care expenses

Unusual Circumstances refer to the conditions that justify an adjustment to a student鈥檚 dependency status based on a unique situation (e.g., human trafficking, parental abuse or abandonment, incarceration), more commonly referred to as a dependency override.

Unusual Circumstances do not include:

  • Parents refuse to contribute to the student鈥檚 education.
  • Parents will not provide information for the FAFSA or verification.
  • Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes.
  • Student demonstrated total self-sufficiency.

A student may have both a special circumstance and an unusual circumstance. The Office of Financial Aid may make adjustments that are appropriate to each student鈥檚 situation with appropriate documentation.