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The Student Aid Index (SAI) is a measurement of your family's financial situation and is used to determine your eligibility for need-based aid in a given academic year. You received an SAI based on the information provided on your FAFSA application, and an award package will be determined using this SAI.

The 2024-2025 (Fall 2024/Spring 2025/Summer 2025) FAFSA uses 2022 tax year information to determine your SAI. However, an appeal may be submitted to consider differences reflected in the 2024 tax year. If the income information/circumstances on your FAFSA have changed considerably since the time you filed, you may submit a request for a review of your reduced income. The review, if approved, will re-calculate your SAI using more current income information. 

Note for families with a negative to zero SAI:   Please do not submit this form as you will already be considered for the maximum in need-based aid allowable.

Reviewable Circumstances May Include (but are not limited to):

• Loss of job or reduction in income (i.e., work, child support, etc.)
• Loss or reduction in one-time income 
• Tuition payments for Elementary, Junior High, or High School
• High medical or Dental expenses not covered by the insurance
• Death of spouse or parent
• Change in Marital Status (only if it changes your FAFSA dependency status)

If your current situation is not listed above, please contact us and we will assess your situation. Please note that not all situations are reviewable per federal regulations.

Additional Details to Consider:

The following information will provide more guidance on whether or not you may be eligible for a review request and what you may expect after submitting your request and required supporting documentation:

• If you have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of -150 to Zero ‘0,’ you are already receiving the maximum amount of financial aid that we are able to offer to you. Therefore, no adjustments can be made to your FAFSA that would enable you to receive additional funds. 
• An Approved Special Circumstance Review Request does not always result in additional financial aid assistance. This could happen if you already have a Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS) or if your situation does not reduce your SAI enough to be within the range of eligibility for other federal grants, institutional grants, and/or scholarships. 
• Review Requests may take more time than other processes in our office. We ask that you remain understanding and patient while we give your submission our fullest attention. Once the Review is complete you will be contacted regardless of the outcome. All communication will be through your official Student Email 
• Incomplete forms or missing supporting documentation will delay your review. 

Required Supporting Documentation:

Depending on your circumstances, you may be required to submit the following documents*: 

• A signed detailed explanation of the circumstances that led to your income reduction, or circumstances that have affected your household income. Be sure to include specific dates (Month/Year) and information on your current situation. If your hours were reduced, please be sure to include the number of hours currently working weekly. Specify if you are receiving any types of benefits or assistance and be sure to include documentation. 
  • If you currently have no income, you must explain how your expenses are being paid (including amounts paid on your behalf).
• A signed copy of your 2022 Federal Tax Return (1040 form and all Schedules)
• 2022 W-2’s and/or Schedule C/C-EZ if Self-Employed*
• Signed letter from previous employer (on company/business letterhead) indicating start and end dates of employment
• If reporting Income Reduction: Copy of 2 most recent pay stubs showing YTD earnings from ALL employers in 2024 (and 2025, if submitting the request after January 1, 2025) *
• If reporting job loss/termination of employment, proof (or denial) of unemployment benefits from DES; if not receiving benefits, you must explain why
• Loss or reduction of income or benefit
• Tuition Payments for Elementary, Junior High or High School**
• If reporting Marital status change: Appropriate court documentation indicating date of separation or divorce
  • Note: this will only be approved if it results in a change in dependency status on FAFSA
• If reporting death of Spouse or Parent: Copy of death certificate
• If Reporting Medical Expenses NOT paid by insurance: A signed and detailed summary totaling those expenses and receipts of payments made (must submit receipts of medical expenses paid NOT covered/reimbursed by insurance**)

*If married, include Spouse; dependent students include Parent(s)

**For the income year reported on the FAFSA 

NOTE: Additional information/documentation may be requested, depending on your unique situation

Special Circumstances Review Request Form:

Use this form to report income changes for the Student, Spouse (if married), and Parent(s) (if dependent for FA purposes): 

• 2024-2025- Special Circumstances Review Request

If you are a Dependent Student for financial aid purposes, this form must be completed by both the student parent.

Submission Dates: 

• 2024-2025 Academic Year: 
  • Fall and/or Spring enrollment: July 22 - April 25, 2025
  • Summer enrollment: June 23, 2025

NOTE: the deadline may be earlier if students’ classes end earlier than the standard semester end date.