Special Circumstances
If a significant loss of income is projected resulting in
circumstances that restrict your parents' ability to contribute to
your education, please write a letter explaining the circumstances
and the Office of Financial Aid will review your situation. Special
circumstances are defined as situations that the family has minimal
control over: death, disability, loss of income due to lay-off and
unemployment. Voluntary circumstances are not eligible for
consideration. Such voluntary items would include: consumer debt,
voluntary leave of employment, loss of income due to change in job
or school attendance.
A financial aid counselor will review your letter and determine
if a formal review is warranted. If a formal review is necessary,
you will receive a Request for Review Form from
the Office of Financial Aid. Documentation may be needed to support
your request. Additional aid for special circumstances will consist
of increased loan eligibility. Only in rare instances will it
increase gift assistance to an existing financial aid package. You
should continue to judge your ability to afford to pay for your
education based on your original aid eligibility. Application for
loans and payment plans must not be delayed while waiting for a
decision on a special circumstance.