Special or Unusual Circumstances

Unexpected changes in your financial or family situation may affect your financial aid eligibility. Learn how you may qualify for a review of your financial aid eligibility or dependency status, and how the FAMU Office of Financial Aid can help.

 

Special or Unusual Circumstances

Life circumstances can change, and those changes may affect your eligibility for financial aid. If your financial or personal circumstances have changed, FAMU's Office of Financial Aid may be able to review your situation and determine whether adjustments to your FAFSA information or dependency status are appropriate.

 

Which Situation Applies to You? There are some key difference bewtween Special or Unusual Circumstances:

  • girl calculating expenses


    Special Circumstances

    Has your financial situation changed? If you or your family have experienced a loss of income, unemployment, or unexpected expenses, you may qualify for a review of your financial aid eligibility.
  • overwhelmed man sitting in front of laptop


    Unusual Circumstances

    Are you unable to contact your parents or provide their information on the FAFSA? Situations involving parental abandonment, abuse, estrangement, or incarceration may qualify you for a review of your dependency status.

 

    

Special Circumstances - Financial Adjustments

Special circumstances are financial situations that may affect your eligibility for financial aid. Depending on your situation, you may qualify for an SAI Calculation Appeal or Budget Review.

What is the Student Aid Index (SAI)?

The Student Aid Index (SAI) is a number calculated using a formula based on information provided on your FAFSA. It is used to help determine your eligibility for federal Pell Grants and other need-based financial aid.

If your family's financial circumstances have changed since completing the FAFSA, you may be eligible to request an SAI Calculation Appeal.

FAMU's Office of Financial Aid may review and update your FAFSA information to better reflect your current financial situation.

How to Request an Appeal:

If you believe your circumstances qualify for an SAI Calculation Appeal, contact your assigned Finacial Aid Representative to discuss your situation and learn about the next steps in the review process.

What is a Budget Review?

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the expenses associated with attending FAMU, including tuition, housing, meals, transportation, and other educational costs.

If your actual educational expenses exceed FAMU's standard Cost of Attendance, you may be eligible to request a Budget Review. If approved, an adjustment may increase your eligibility for additional loans or outside scholarships but generally does not result in additional institutional scholarships or grants.

How to Request a Review:

If you believe your circumstances qualify for a Budget Review, contact your assigned Finacial Aid Representative to discuss your situation and learn about the next steps in the review process.

Unusual Circumstances - Dependency Status

Unusual circumstances are personal or family situations that may affect your dependency status for financial aid. If you are unable to contact your parents or safely obtain their information for the FAFSA, you may qualify for a dependency status appeal.

What is a Dependency Status Appeal?

Most students are considered "dependent" for federal financial aid purposes based on their answers to specific questions on the FAFSA. This means that parental information is generally required to determine their financial aid eligibility.

However, certain personal or family circumstances may qualify you for a dependency status appeal, allowing FAMU's Office of Financial Aid to review your situation and determine whether you can be considered an independent student.

Students are NOT automatically considered independent simply because they financially support themselves or are not claimed on their parents' taxes.

For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid Dependency website

Students who MIGHT be considered for an Appeal

Students experiencing any of the following circumstances may be considered for a dependency status appeal, depending on their individual situation.

➜ Student’s parent(s) are incarcerated or deceased.

➜ Student has left home due to an abusive family environment.

➜ Student is a victim of human trafficking.

➜ Student has been granted refugee or asylee status.

➜ Student was abandoned by or estranged from your parent(s) and have not been adopted.

Students who MIGHT NOT be considered for an Appeal

➜ Student is not living in their parent(s) home.

➜ Student is self-supporting.

➜ Student is not claimed as a tax exemption by parent(s).

➜ Parent(s) cannot afford or refuse to help with college or living expenses.

➜ Parent(s) unwilling to provide their financial information to complete the FAFSA

If you believe your circumstances qualify for a dependency status appeal, contact your assigned Finacial Aid Representative to discuss your situation and learn about the next steps in the appeal process.

Requesting an Unusual Circumstances Appeal

 

Step 1: Submit Your FAFSA

Complete and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the applicable academic year.

Step 2: Access the Appeal Forms

Wait at least 2–3 business days after submitting your FAFSA.

Visit the Financial Aid Forms  page, select the Professional Judgment tab, and find the Student Unusual Circumstance Form for the applicable academic year.

Step 3: Explain Your Circumstances

The system will ask you to briefly explain your reason for this request, which does not need to be in-depth. You will provide more information as part of the appeal later in the process.

Step 4: Submit Your Appeal

Once completed, upload your appeal through your Student Financial Portal.

Step 5: Provide Supporting Documentation

Your Student Financial Portal will request additional documentation to support your appeal. Depending on your circumstances, documents may include:

➜ Parent(s) incarceration file (legal court document)
➜ Any court documents
➜ Parent(s) death certificate
➜ Any police reports
➜ Any social worker, mentors, doctors, or high school counselor documentation on company letterhead

Appeal Review and Notification

Once all requested documentation has been submitted, you will receive an email notification of the appeal decision within 7–10 business days.

Please note the time may be extended during peak processing times.