Special Circumstances
If you have experienced an unexpected financial hardship since submitting your financial aid application (FAFSA), it might benefit you to submit a special conditions request.
You can request that your financial aid eligibility be re-evaluated if your financial situation changes for reasons such as the following:
- Current income is less than was was reported on the FAFSA, for reasons such as layoff, termination, or decline in self-employment income
- Loss of child support, Social Security, or disability benefits
- Separation, divorce, or death of a spouse or parent after submitting the FAFSA
- Parent attending college at least half-time
- Excessive medical expenses
Approval is case-by-case. Here are some examples when a special conditions request might be denied:
- For graduate students (federal financial aid eligibility for graduate students is for unsubsidized loans only)
- When a significant reduction in income results in the same federal financial aid eligibility
- Temporary reductions in income
- Insufficient documentation
The first step is to review the Special Circumstances Form and then to set up an appointment with a financial aid counselor as soon as possible. The review process for special conditions is up to 6 weeks. Remember, approval is on a case-by-case basis.
Getting Married
Getting married could impact your FAFSA. Please review our getting married web page to determine whether you will need to complete any additional steps. You must have a change in marriage status by December 31 of that academic year if you would like your financial aid to be reevaluated.
Students are not required to update their marriage status, as the FAFSA is a snapshot of their current situation.