Special Circumstances
Special Circumstance Policy
The Office of Student Financial Aid and Enrollment Services will take into consideration extenuating circumstances that directly impact a student's eligibility for financial aid. Financial Aid representatives can make professional judgment decisions on a case-by-case basis to change a dependent student's status to independent, increase or decrease one or more of the data elements used to calculate the EFC and/or increase the cost of attendance. The Office of Student Financial Aid and Enrollment Services will review and process your request and send a written confirmation of approval or denial. If a change in financial aid awards occurs due to the request, a revised award letter will be mailed.
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Request for Independent Status
In some cases, the Office of Student Financial and Enrollment Services can override the dependency status for a student and change that status to independent. The definition according to the Department of Education states that if the student is 23 years of age or younger, then they are classified as a dependent student. However, if extenuating circumstances exists, a professional judgment decision can be made by a financial aid representative.
However none of the following examples warrant a dependency override:
- Parents refuse to contribute to the student's education.
- Parents are unwilling to provide information on the FAFSA or for verification
- Parents do not claim student as a dependent for income tax purposes
- Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency.
Forms to Submit include:
- Dependency Override Form
- Letter detailing the special circumstances that make you independent form your parents..
- Two statements from professionals (teacher counselor, clergy, social worker) familiar with the situation, further outlining and verifying the special circumstances. The statements must include address and telephone numbers and should be on letterhead.
- Mail a PAPER FAFSA to the Department of Education processor (do not apply online).
- Attach a signed copy of your 2006 Federal income tax return.
Processing time will take several weeks. You will be notified in writing with the results.
Adjustments to Income Include:
Loss of Income (Student and/or Parent)
In some cases, a loss of income has occurred that can directly affect the outcome of your FAFSA results. Since your Expected Family Contribution is based on the previous year's income, a loss of income for the current year may reduce your EFC, which will result in additional need eligibility. You must submit the Parent Loss of Income Form or Student Loss of Income Form, which includes your estimated current year income.
Divorce-Separation-Death of Spouse (Student or Parent)
In the case of divorce, separation or death of a spouse, the student or parent may request that a review of the information reported on the FAFSA is changed or corrected. The student or parent will need to complete the Parent Loss of Income Form or Student Loss of Income Form and submit all required documents.
Unusual Expenses (Parent Only)
The parent will need to complete the Parent Additional Expenses Form and submit all required documents.
- Private School Tuition Expenses
- Unusual Medical and/or Dental Expenses
- Extended Family Support
- Unusual Debts
Adjustments to Student's Cost of Attendance
The following items can be taken into consideration for an increase of a student's cost of attendance at UTSA during an award year. The student will need to complete the Cost of Attendance Adjustment Form and submit all required documents.
- Child Care/Elementary & Secondary Education for Dependents Additional course cost(s)/thesis & dissertation expenses
- Unusual medical/dental/optical expenses
- Extended Family Support
- Unusual Debts
- Transportation (repairs or round trip mileage expense) - does not include regular car payments, maintenance or insurance
Additional Resources for Extenuating Circumstances
The Office of Student Financial Aid works to provide quality financial aid services to current and prospective students at UTSA. All members of the financial aid team are trained and ready to answer questions about the process and to help you with extenuating circumstances. However, if a student and/or parent has an issue that they are unable to resolve with a Financial Aid Officer, additional resources are available. To resolve any issues or problems, you may contact the Financial Aid Ombudsman team listed below:
- To contact the UTSA Financial Aid Ombudsman please send an email to Assistant Director Kim Canady at kim.canady@utsa.edu.