Special Circumstance Applications
2023-2024 Special Circumstance Applications
The below listed applications are available for the 2023-2024 academic year (Summer 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024). If you have a special circumstance for the current year, please contact your regional campus or the One Stop For Student Services.
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.
- Dependent Student Parent Divorce/Legal Separation (PDF)
- Independent Student Divorce/Legal Separation (PDF)
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.
Parent in College
The purpose of completing a Special Circumstance Application for a parent in college is to update the number of individuals in the household attending college used in the EFC calculation. The parent of a dependent student must be enrolled in a degree granting program at least half time to qualify. The parent must be enrolled in courses that are in session between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024.
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 2021 but were not received in 2022 or 2023. This application can also be used to adjust the FAFSA to reflect a loss of income in 2022 and lost or reduction of unemployment benefits in 2023. 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.
- Dependent Student/Parent Loss or Reduction of Unemployment Benefits (PDF)
- Independent Student Loss or Reduction of Unemployment Benefits (PDF)
Loss of Working Income
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 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.
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.
2022
- Dependent Student/Parent Loss or Reduction of Working Income in 2022 (PDF)
- Independent Student Loss or Reduction of Working Income in 2022 (PDF)
2023
- Dependent Student/Parent Loss or Reduction of Working Income in 2023 (PDF)
- Independent Student Loss or Reduction of Working Income in 2023 (PDF)
Loss of Benefits including Child Support, Alimony, Social Security/Disability and 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 2021 but were not received in 2022 or 2023. 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.
- Dependent Student/Parent Loss or Reduction of Benefits (PDF)
- Independent Student Loss or Reduction of Benefits (PDF)
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 2021 or the 2022 tax year are eligible for review. You can only select one tax year.