Special and Unusual Circumstances

Special Circumstances refer to the financial situations that justify an aid administrator adjusting data elements in the cost of attendance (COA) or in the Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation.

• a death in the family
• loss of employment by the student or a parent
• unusually high medical expenses not covered by insurance
• separation and divorce after the FAFSA has been filed
• loss of untaxed income or benefit
• other extraordinary situations

Steps to Complete

1. Log into Student Forms
2. Click 'Manage Requests'
3. Click + button under applicable aid year for Professional Judgment: Special Circumstance - EFC/SAI Appeal
4. Enter reason for request and hit submit
5. Open request, complete form and upload supporting documentation

Unusual Circumstances refer to the conditions that justify an aid administrator making an adjustment to a student’s dependency status based on a unique situation (e.g., human trafficking, refugee or asylee status, parental abandonment, incarceration), more commonly referred to as a dependency override.

• Abusive (physically and/or mentally) family environment
• Abandonment
• Parents cannot be located/no contact with any parent
• Other reasons

We cannot override dependency in cases where:

• parents refusal to contribute financially to the student's education
• unwillingness of parents to provide information
• student being financially independent
• parents not claiming a student as a dependent on their income taxes

Steps to Complete

1. Log into Student Forms
2. Click 'Manage Requests'
3. Click + button under applicable aid year for Professional Judgment: Unusual Circumstance Appeal
4. Enter reason for request and hit submit
5. Open request, complete form and upload supporting documentation

Students may have unusual educational expenses not accounted for in the Cost of Attendance (COA). Federal regulations give the Financial Aid Office the ability to adjust a student's cost of attendance budget based on certain additional expenses. Adjusting the COA may increase potential for loans or other sources of funding.

Expenses Include:

Purchase of a computer

Students in a program of study that require the use of a computer may request an increase to their cost of attendance (COA) once during their program of study for the cost of the computer. Increasing the COA does not guarantee additional aid eligibility; however, a copy of the purchase receipt can be submitted for review.

ChildCare Cost

If you pay for dependent care in order to attend class, study, commute, or perform other activities directly related to your college attendance you may request an increase to your cost of attendance (COA).

Additional Transportation Expense

Transportation expenses are already included in your cost of attendance (COA); however, if you incur or will incur expenses that exceed the standard budget amount and adjustment may be considered.

Study Abroad

Students enrolled in a study abroad experience approved for credit by Northeast Community College may request a review of their cost of attendance (COA) budget for additional expenses incurred due to the study abroad experience.

Steps to Complete

1. Log into Student Forms
2. Click 'Manage Requests'
3. Click + button under applicable aid year for Professional Judgment: Professional Judgment: Special Circumstance - COA Appeal
4. Enter reason for request and hit submit
5. Open request, complete form and upload supporting documentation