Special Circumstances
While our office is required to adhere to federal guidelines dictating the process by which we award aid (e.g., our utilization of cost of attendance, Expected Family Contribution, need, and eligibility requirements), sometimes we may apply professional judgment and alter a student’s budget or the data used in the calculation of a student’s Expected Family Contribution. As a result, a student may qualify for additional aid. The request for consideration of a special circumstance is a type of appeal, and our office's decision is final. The main categories of special circumstances possibly leading to such adjustments are as follows: