Request for Special Circumstance (Income) Review

The Student Aid Index (SAI measures your family's financial situation and helps determine your eligibility for need-based aid each academic year. You received an SAI based on the information provided on your FAFSA application, and an award package will be determined using this SAI.

The 2024-2025 FAFSA (for Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025) uses information from the 2022 tax year to determine your SAI. However, you may appeal if your income or circumstances in 2024 differ significantly from those reported in 2022. If the income information/circumstances on your FAFSA have changed considerably since the time you filed, you may submit a request for a review of your reduced income. The review, if approved, will re-calculate your SAI using more current income information.

Note for families with a negative to zero SAI: If your SAI is zero or negative, you are already eligible for the maximum need-based aid, and submitting this form will not increase your aid.

Reviewable Circumstances May Include (but are not limited to):

Loss of job or reduction in income (i.e., work, child support, etc.)
Loss or reduction in one-time income
Tuition payments for Elementary, Junior High, or High School
High medical or Dental expenses not covered by the insurance
Death of spouse or parent
Change in Marital Status (only if it changes your FAFSA dependency status)

Additional Details to Consider:

The following information will provide more guidance on whether or not you may be eligible for a review request and what you may expect after submitting your request and required supporting documentation:

If you have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of -1500 to Zero ‘0,’ you are already receiving the maximum amount of financial aid that we are able to offer to you. Therefore, no adjustments can be made to your FAFSA that would enable you to receive additional funds.
Please note that an approved Special Circumstances Review does not guarantee additional financial aid. This could happen if you already have a Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS) or if your situation does not reduce your SAI enough to be within the range of eligibility for other federal grants, institutional grants, and/or scholarships.
Review Requests may take more time than other processes in our office. We ask that you remain understanding and patient while we give your submission our fullest attention. Once the Review is complete you will be contacted regardless of the outcome. All communication will be through your official Student Email.
Incomplete forms or missing supporting documentation will delay your review.

Required Supporting Documentation:

Based on your specific situation, the following documents may be required*:

A signed detailed explanation of the circumstances that led to your income reduction, or circumstances that have affected your household income. Be sure to include specific dates (Month/Year) and information on your current situation. If your hours were reduced, please be sure to include the number of hours currently working weekly. Specify if you are receiving any types of benefits or assistance and be sure to include documentation.
- If you currently have no income, you must explain how your expenses are being paid (including amounts paid on your behalf).
A signed copy of your 2022 Federal Tax Return (1040 form and all Schedules)
2022 W-2’s and/or Schedule C/C-EZ if Self-Employed*
Signed letter from previous employer (on company/business letterhead) indicating start and end dates of employment
If reporting Income Reduction: Copy of 2 most recent pay stubs showing YTD earnings from ALL employers in 2024 (and 2025, if submitting the request after January 1, 2025) *
If reporting job loss/termination of employment, proof (or denial) of unemployment benefits from DES; if not receiving benefits, you must explain why
Loss or reduction of income or benefit
Tuition Payments for Elementary, Junior High or High School**
If reporting Marital status change: Appropriate court documentation indicating date of separation or divorce
- Note: this will only be approved if it results in a change in dependency status on FAFSA
If reporting death of Spouse or Parent: Copy of death certificate
If Reporting Medical Expenses NOT paid by insurance: A signed and detailed summary totaling those expenses and receipts of payments made (must submit receipts of medical expenses paid NOT covered/reimbursed by insurance**)

*If married, include Spouse; dependent students include Parent(s)

**For the income year reported on the FAFSA

NOTE: Additional information/documentation may be requested, depending on your unique situation

Special Circumstances Review Request Form:

Use this form to report income reductions for the Student, Spouse (if married), and Parent(s) (if dependent for FA purposes):

Submission Dates:

2024-2025 Academic Year:
- Fall and/or Spring enrollment: July 22 - April 25, 2025
- Summer enrollment: June 23, 2025

Request for Special Circumstance (Income) Review