Special Circumstances
Did you or someone in your household recently experience unemployment or loss of income?
Sometimes a family鈥檚 current financial situation is not accurately represented on the FAFSA. Some examples include: loss or change in employment, death, divorce or separation of parents and unusual medical expenses. In some cases, your Financial Aid Administrator may be able to consider your special circumstances and re-evaluate your application. This review could result in additional aid.
- Based on the information you provide; your Financial Aid Administrator will re-evaluate your application to see if any changes can be made to revise your award.
- All requests will be considered, but not all requests will be approved or result in additional grant aid.
- Your Financial Aid Administrator will use professional judgment to assist you as best as possible. The decision of the Financial Aid Administrator is final and cannot be appealed.
Special Circumstances Process
- Step 1: Submit a Special Circumstance Form to your campus. Carefully read and review the form.
Petition for Special Circumstance Form. Examples of what cannot be considered as Special Circumstances: Parents鈥 refusal to contribute to education; Credit card or other unusually high debt. Carefully read and review the form to see what information is being asked of you to avoid delays. - Step 2: Await review of your form: Your Financial Aid Office will contact you within approximately 2 weeks of receiving your form and advise if any other information is needed.
- Step 3: Submit any other required documentation: Common forms include: Signed Federal Tax Forms, W2 forms, pay stubs, or unemployment documentation.
Unusual Circumstances
Did you submit your FAFSA as a dependent student to one of our UH Community College campuses and you feel you have Unusual Circumstances regarding your dependency status?
A Financial Aid Administrator may be able to make an adjustment to a student鈥檚 dependency status/dependency override based on unique situations such as human trafficking, refugee or asylum status, parental abandonment, and incarceration.
- Based on the information you provide; your Financial Aid Administrator will re-evaluate your application to see if any changes can be made to revise your award.
- All requests will be considered, but not all requests will be approved or result in additional grant aid.
- Your Financial Aid Administrator will use professional judgment to assist you as best as possible. The decision of the Financial Aid Administrator is final and cannot be appealed.
UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES PROCESS
- Step 1: Submit an Appeal for Unusual Circumstances Form. Carefully read and review the form before submitting.
Petition for Unusual Circumstances Form - Step 2: Await review of your form: Your financial aid office will contact you if any other information is needed.
- Step 3: Submit any other required documentation: Common forms include: external (third party) source that documents, verifies, and supports your situation (e.g. such as social workers, counselors, clergy members, or teachers). If possible, any documentation should be on company letterhead or from a professional email address.
- Step 4: Check your email: You will be notified via email regarding the outcome.
REQUEST FOR COST OF ATTENDANCE ADJUSTMENT
A cost of attendance is created for every student who is awarded financial aid. In addition to tuition and student fees, the cost of attendance includes an estimated cost of books/supplies, food, housing, transportation, and personal expenses. If you have costs that are not included or beyond the costs of attendance calculated, you may Complete a Request for Cost of Attendance Adjustment form located on the Forms page.
