Special Circumstances
Some students and their families experience unique circumstances that affect their ability to pay their college costs. If your financial circumstances change, you should contact the Office of Financial Assistance as soon as possible. You may request a re-evaluation of your aid or an appeal of a financial aid policy or decision. Bear in mind that our ability to provide additional assistance depends on when you contact us, whether and when you are able to provide documentation of your circumstances, and whether funds are available.
How to Request a Re-evaluation of your aid eligibility
Families facing severe financial problems due to extenuating circumstances such as job loss, death of parent or spouse or other factor should contact the Office of Financial Assistance for a review of their financial aid eligibility. If you have experienced a significant and prolonged decline in family income, you might be eligible for additional financial aid funds for the current academic year. A financial aid advisor can work with you and your family to find the best mix of resources to keep you enrolled.
Circumstances that may be considered include,but are not limited to, the following:
- Loss of income because of recent unemployment, a change in health, or a change in your parents' marital status
- High, unreimbursed medical and/or dental expenses
- Business loss (because of bankruptcy, foreclosure, or natural disaster)
- High cost of attendance due to circumstances such as higher-than-usual book or supply expenses or child care costs. (Note that cost of attendance can only be adjusted for child care expenses if the student is (1) single and provides at least 51 percent of the child's support; (2) married, with a spouse/partner who is employed at least 20 hours per week; or (3) married, with a spouse/partner who is also a student.)
If you believe that your financial aid eligibility should be reviewed based on an extenuating circumstance, you are encouraged to speak with your financial aid officer about your circumstances. If a determination is made by your financial aid advisor that your situation does in fact warrant further consideration, you will be asked to present your circumstances to the Director of the Office of Financial Assistance for action that may require exceptions to standard financial aid policies or procedures. To learn more or to start the process, a special circumstance or "professional judgment" form must be completed. The form can be accessed here.
