Special Circumstances/SAI Appeal

Because certain situations and events can affect a family’s ability to pay for college, it is important that you make us aware of unusual financial circumstances that you believe are not reflected accurately on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please understand that we have limits on what we can do, and submission of this form does not guarantee changes in aid eligibility, but we will look at your individual situation carefully.

This Professional Judgment Special Circumstances Appeal allows you to request a change in the input data in the Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation due to unusual circumstances. The Office of Financial Aid shall review your case upon successful completion and submission of the Web Form.

The results of this request for special financial circumstances consideration will be based on the individual circumstances outlined in the completion of this form. Please remember that submission of this form does not guarantee an adjustment to the student’s award. The student’s balance must be paid by the Fee Payment Deadline even if this request has not yet been completed/reviewed.

Please contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional information or if you have questions.

The following may be considered special Financial Circumstances:

• Widowed, Divorced, or Separated since Filing the FAFSA
• Financial Changes between base year and current year. (Example: Loss of Income/Benefit Reduction for parent(s)/student/spouse.)
• Unusual Medical Expenses if in excess of 11% of Parent(s)/Student(s)/Spouse Adjusted Gross Income
• IRA Rollover or One time disbursement of 401K or Investment Funds
• Request for Budget Increase due to a Computer Purchase
• Request for Budget Increase due to Student Transportation Expenses
• Request for Budget Increase due to Childcare Expenses

The following are NOT considered special Financial Circumstances:

• Private elementary or secondary school tuition (unless required by learning disabilities and the like)
• Pending reduction in income due to fluctuating commissions, consumer debt (unless necessitated by economic hardship)
• Refusal of a parent to provide financial support to the applicant/student
• Anything that “might happen” in the future.

Note: If you already have an SAI of zero (0) there is no need to complete this form.

Please be sure the student’s FAFSA has been completed and all required documentation submitted before completing a Special Circumstances Form.

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Professional Judgment: Special Circumstances – EFC Calculation Appeal Step-by-Step Instructions

The 2024-2025 Academic Year consists of Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025 semesters. The appeal for the 2024-2025 Academic year will become available in June 2024.