Professional Judgement

Financial Aid can review a student's special circumstances to determine, on a case-by-case basis, if a change in the Student Aid Index (SAI) is needed. If an adjustment to the student’s SAI is approved, that adjustment will be made to the student’s FAFSA. When the student’s corrected FAFSA returns, the student’s Pell grant and/or federal Stafford loans may be reallocated based on these results.  

Examples of special circumstance that may be considered for a SAI adjustment: 

• Loss or change of employment 

• Child Support reduction or change 

• Divorce/Separation of parents/spouse 

• Change of marital status for dependent students 

• Death of parent(s) or spouse 

• Excessive out of pocket medical and/or dental expenses that exceed 11% of household’s Adjusted Gross Income 

• One-time taxable income (IRA disbursement, pension distribution, etc.) 

A change to the SAI could, but is not guaranteed to, result in a change of eligibility for need based awards. 

Examples of special circumstance that are NOT considered for a SAI adjustment: 

• Standard living expenses (utilities, car payments, etc.) 

• Mortgage payments 

• Credit card/other personal debts 

• Filing for bankruptcy 

• Vacation expenses 

• Elective surgeries 

• All other discretionary expenses 

• Different university offering more aid 

• Reduction in 401K/investment values 

• Parent’s inability or unwillingness to borrow Parent PLUS loans 

• Student already has a Student Aid Index (SAI) of 0 or less 

Special Circumstances Form for 2024-2025

Special Circumstances Form for 2025-2026

An unusual circumstance is used when a student has experienced a situation that would warrant an override of parental information on the FAFSA®. In most cases, parent information is required even if a student is self-supporting and no longer resides with their parent(s). 

Examples of unusual circumstances are: 

• an abusive family environment (e.g., sexual, physical, or mental abuse or other forms of domestic violence) 

• abandonment by parents 

• incarceration or institutionalization of both parents 

• parents lacking the physical or mental capacity to provide support 

• parents whereabouts unknown or parents cannot be located 

• parents hospitalized for an extended period 

• an unsuitable household (e.g., child removed from the household and placed in foster care, tutorship, etc.) 

• married student’s spouse dies or student gets divorced 

The U.S. Department of Education has also given guidance regarding situations that do and do not qualify as unusual circumstances that merit a dependency override. In particular, the following circumstances do not merit a dependency override, either alone or in combination: 

• Parents refuse to contribute to the student’s education 

• Parents are unwilling to provide information on the application or verification process 

• Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes 

• Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency 

Unusual Circumstances Form 2024-2025

Unusual Circumstances From 2025-2026

Unusual Circumstances Reference Form

 A Cost of Attendance (COA) adjustment request is to increase your COA (or maximum aid limit). If you have experienced unforeseen expenses during the academic year that are not accounted for in your program's COA, you may request an increase.  

These unexpected costs can include, but are not limited to, expenses associated with: 

• performing research  

• computer or specialized equipment or software  

• adaptive equipment for disabled students  
• childcare for children younger than school-aged 

If the COA adjustment request is approved, the increase may result in additional loan funding. If you have already borrowed the maximum federal student loan limit for your grade level, a COA adjustment request would not be of any benefit to you.  

Cost of Attendance (COA) Change Request Form