2024-2025 Special Circumstance Applications

The below listed applications are available for the 2024-2025 academic year (Summer 2024, Fall 2024, Spring 2025). If you have a special circumstance for the current year that was completed with a PDF, you can return forms in person, please check the library hours or with your Regional Campus student services area for hours of availability. You can also return forms in a PDF format by mail. To return by mail:

One Stop for Student Services

Kent State University

P. O. Box 5190

Kent, OH  44242

If you have not completed a Special Circumstance prior, please note that Dynamic forms are completed electronically through a direct link, NOT manually (PDF).

You can check back here to view your pending/draft Dynamic form and to review any of your completed Dynamic forms. Read the instructions carefully on the landing page of the Dynamic form you are completing.  Have the required documentation ready to attach directly to the Dynamic form.

If the form you are completing is a Dynamic form, you DO NOT need to submit via the One Stop for Student Services.  The form will be automatically routed and processed.

Definitions of each of the Special Circumstance Applications

• Parent/Student Divorce or Legal Separation
  • The purpose of completing a Special Circumstance Application for divorce or legal separation is to remove a parent or the student's spouse from the FAFSA. This will result in removing the parent or spouse's income from the EFC calculation. If the parent or spouse that left the household was not included on the FAFSA when it was originally processed, completing the Special Circumstance Application for this event would not be necessary.
• Death of a Parent or Student Spouse
  • The purpose of completing a Special Circumstance Application for death is to recalculate the EFC without the deceased parent or student spouse's information. If the parent or spouse that has passed away was not included on the FAFSA and their income was excluded from the household, completing the Special Circumstance Application for this event is not necessary. If the death of the sole parent to a dependent student has occurred, please contact the One Stop for Student Services or your Regional Campus Financial Aid Office to discuss further options.
• Loss of Unemployment Benefits
  • The purpose of completing a Special Circumstance for a loss of unemployment benefits is to remove any unemployment benefits that were reported on the FAFSA as received in 2022 but were not received in 2023 or 2024.  This application can also be used to adjust the FAFSA to reflect a loss of income in 2023 and lost or reduction of unemployment benefits in 2024.  The unemployment benefits and/or income reported on the FAFSA will be removed or reduced based on the time when the loss occurred.  This may result in full or partial removal.
• Loss of Working Income (for 2023 or 2024)
  • The purpose of completing a Special Circumstance for a loss of working income is to adjust the FAFSA to reflect the loss of income. This could be because of the loss or termination from a job, the reduction in working hours, or a reduction in salary or hourly wage. The application cannot be submitted for an anticipated loss.  The loss must have already occurred.  Any loss of income prior to October of 2023 must complete the Loss of Working Income for 2023.
  • For a Loss of Working Income for 2024, the date of loss must have occurred in October of 2023 or later.  Any date prior to October 2023 is required to complete the Loss of Income for 2023.
    • Please Note: Students whose application shows a Loss of Income close to the Loss of Working Income of 2024 date of October 2023 are subject to review on a case-by-case scenario and may require the student to complete the Loss of Working Income for 2024 Application to be submitted in place of their submitted Loss of Working Income for 2023 Application as it may be more beneficial for the student to complete. 
  • Note: If the loss of income was a result of a divorce or death of a parent or spouse, you must complete either the divorce/legal separation or death application. If the income loss was a result of the loss of unemployment or other benefits, please complete the loss of benefits application. This will ensure that the proper documentation is provided.
• Loss Of Benefits (Ex: Child Support, Alimony, Social Security/Disability, Workers' Compensation)
  • The purpose of completing a Special Circumstance Application for loss of benefits is to remove any benefit(s) that were reported on the FAFSA as received in 2022 but were not received in 2023 or 2024. The benefit(s) reported on the FAFSA will be removed based on the time when the loss occurred. This may result in full or partial removal.
• Medical or Dental Expenses
  • The purpose of completing a Special Circumstance Application for medical or dental expenses is to remove income used toward medical and/or dental expenses that is not available to use towards college expenses. Only medical or dental expenses that were reported on Schedule A of the IRS Federal Income Tax Return during either the 2022 or the 2023 tax year are eligible for review.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE DYNAMIC FORMS

The Dynamic Forms for Dependent and Independent Students allows you to select each application from a drop-down menu on the Dynamic form.  Please select the correct application that best describes your scenario and criteria when applying for a Special Circumstance.

The below forms for 2024-2025 will be coming soon:

2024-2025 Dependent Special Circumstance Application

2024-2025 Independent Special Circumstance Application