Change in Circumstances

Federal guidelines allows the Office of Student Financial Assistance to adjust your record based on changes in circumstances such as Special or Unusual Circumstances.

Special Circumstances

Special Circumstances refer to change in financial situations (loss of a job, etc.) that justify an adjustment to your account either to your Cost of Attendance or to your FAFSA.

Professional Judgment Appeal

If you experienced a change in resources, income, or special circumstances not addressed on the original FAFSA, we encourage you to submit a Professional Judgment Appeal.

Special circumstances that may be considered

Loss of income (Student/Spouse or Parent), for example, loss of job due to COVID-19 pandemic
Major medical expenses not covered by insurance, already paid out-of-pocket
Business or farm debt
Educational loan repayment
Tuition payments made for elementary/secondary school costs for younger siblings
Child support received that has decreased or ended
Parent attending college at least half-time in a degree-seeking program
Lump sum distribution or non-recurring income that inflates adjusted gross income
Bankruptcy (only Chapter 13)

Steps to submitting a Professional Judgment Appeal

Download and complete the Professional Judgment Appeal form (PDF).
Read the form carefully and follow the instructions for your situation.
Submit all required documentation through Secure Document Upload under Professional Judgment Appeal.

Important: Be detailed and include all information requested in order to expedite your appeal process. When doing a Professional Judgement Appeal, our office will be required to verify your FAFSA information before we can complete your Professional Judgement Appeal.

Cost of Attendance Adjustments

Federal guidelines allow the Office of Student Financial Assistance to increase your Cost of Attendance to cover expenses that exceed those already included. Students may submit a Cost of Attendance Adjustment form to have their expenses considered.

Typically, a Cost of Attendance Adjustment will only increase LOAN eligibility. Completing a Cost of Attendance adjustment typically does not increase eligibility for grants and scholarships.

Expenses that may be considered

Purchase of a computer
Enrollment in a course that requires a field trip experience (not study abroad)
Childcare expenses
Excessive tuition and fees
Excessive books and supplies
Excessive room and board
Excessive transportation

Steps to submitting a Cost of Attendance Adjustment form

Download and complete the Cost of Attendance Adjustment form (PDF).
Read the form carefully and follow the instructions for your situation.
Submit all required documentation through Secure Document Upload under Cost of Attendance Adjustments.

Important: Including all requested documentation up front will expedite the processing of your Cost of Attendance Adjustment.

Unusual Circumstances

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

Please note that a parent's refusal to contribute financially, provide information for the FAFSA, or a student claiming themselves on their taxes, do NOT qualify as unusual circumstances to change your dependency status.

Independent Appeal

If one of the unusual circumstances below apply, please fill out the Independent Appeal. If the unusual circumstances below don't apply but you would like to discuss your dependency status, you are welcome to meet with your Financial Aid Advisor for possible consideration. Schedule an appointment with your Financial Aid Advisor.

Unusual Circumstances that may be considered

Human trafficking
Legally granted refugee or asylum status
Parental abandonment or estrangement
Student or parental incarceration.

Unusual Circumstances that are NOT considered

Parents refuse to contribute to the student’s 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 demonstrates total self-sufficiency.

Steps to submit an Independent Appeal

Download and complete the Independent Appeal (PDF)
Read the form carefully and follow the instructions for your situation.
Submit all required documentation through Secure Document Upload under Professional Judgment Appeal.