Unusual Circumstances
Unusual Circumstance Form - 2008-2009
Sometimes families experience unusual circumstances that have a financial impact which would not be revealed from the information reported on the FAFSA. The government prescribes that the analysis of need be based upon the calendar year that proceeds the academic year for which the application is made. In some situations the income of the previous year is a poor base upon which to analyze the student's need because the income source has changed. This changed income situation could occur as the result of the illness or death of a family member, the separation or divorce of a parent or the student, or simply due to a loss of benefits or wages.
In other circumstances the family incurs heavy expenses for private elementary or secondary school tuition or above-average medical or dental expenses (not covered by insurance). Since these types of expenses are no longer included in the regular government analysis of need, information regarding these items is not collected on the FAFSA.
In these situations it may be possible to reanalyze the financial need of the student based upon current calendar (or even award year) information or to adjust the analysis to recognize substantial elementary/secondary education or medical expenses. In order to evaluate the appropriateness of such action, it is necessary to gather information from the student's family to assist in the reevaluation process.
If you have experienced an unusual circumstance as described above, you may complete the Unusual Circumstances Form below and transmit it to us. When submitting electronically your student identification information, and email address will be considered as a signature certifying that the information reported is as true, accurate, and complete as possible. If you are a dependent student submitting parental information you must receive permission from your parent(s) before doing so. Your transmission represents that you have approval from your parents to submit data on their behalf. You will be asked to provide a parental telephone number which we may use to corroborate data submitted on behalf of your parents. Please be aware that the U.S. Inspector General requires us to report all cases of fraud (and submitting parental data without permission would be fraud).
We will determine from the information you submit whether it is possible to improve your opportunity for financial assistance and notify you if your eligibility for assistance can be improved.