Federal School Code : 002314
Forms |
Unusual Circumstances
The information I have submitted on my Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Form has significantly changed. What should I do next?
The SVSU Financial Aid Staff is here to assist you and your parents if you have special circumstances that may affect your eligibility for financial aid or ability to apply. Special circumstances may encompass involuntary changes in income or employment, unusual dental or medical expenses paid not covered by insurance, divorce, separation or death, or other circumstances that have changed the total income level of the family.
You may be eligible for additional financial assistance if these circumstances apply. We suggest downloading an Unusual Circumstance/Review of Assistance Form if circumstances have changed significantly. Complete and submit detailed documentation listed on the form to the SVSU Financial Aid Office for review. The review process may take four to six weeks.
I have no contact with either of my parents, may I be considered Independent?
The Federal Processor determines if a student is independent based on if the student is 24 years of age, an orphan or ward of the court, a veteran, married, has a dependent(s) or child that received more than half of the student’s financial support, or student is working on a master’s or doctorate program.
If you have an unintentional or uncontrollable loss of parental relationship, you may file a Dependency Override Form and detailed documentation with the SVSU Financial Aid Office for review. The review process may take two to four weeks.
The following circumstances are not usually approved or considered reasons for independent status based on Federal guidelines: You do not reside with your parents, your parents refuse to pay for your college education, your parents are not financially able to pay for your college education, you were married AFTER you applied for financial aid, or you do not want your parents’ assistance to pay for college.