Responding to Changing Circumstances and Unusual Expenses

Financial aid applications for the 2012-13 year require you to report 2011 income information. If your financial circumstances have changed, this information may no longer reflect your current resources or ability to pay for college expenses.

In cases where this change is both involuntary in nature and substantial in impact, we may be able to consider more current information.

Documentation of your extenuating circumstances should NOT be submitted by email. Please only mail or fax materials to our office.

Involuntary Job Loss

If you meet these conditions…

• A parent who was employed in 2011 is involuntarily no longer employed in 2012 AND
• Total annual income for 2012 is expected to decrease by at least 15%

Please submit this information…

• 2012-13 Dependent Verification Worksheet
• 2011 tax documents (see instructions on Verification Worksheet)
• Estimated 2012 Income Worksheet
• Signed letter from the parent describing the situation including specific dates
• Third-party documentation of unemployment such as a letter from the former employer or state unemployment office

Loss of Benefit or Income

If you meet these conditions…

• A parent who received non-wage income such as alimony, child support, or Social Security payments in 2011 will no longer receive that income AND
• Total annual income for 2012 is expected to decrease by at least 15%

Please submit this information…

• 2012-13 Dependent Verification Worksheet
• 2011 tax documents (see instructions on Verification Worksheet)
• Estimated 2012 Income Worksheet
• Signed letter from the parent describing the loss of income or benefit

 Unusual Expenses

If you meet these conditions…

• A family has unreimbursed medical expenses that exceed 15% of total income OR
• Incurs other unusual expenses which are not discretionary in nature and exceed 15% of total income

Please submit this information…

• 2012-13 Dependent Verification Worksheet
• 2011 tax documents (see instructions on Verification Worksheet)
• Summary of the unreimbursed expenses incurred in 2011

If medical expenses in 2012 have substantially exceeded total expenses in 2011, please also provide…

• Estimated 2012 Income Worksheet
• Summary of unreimbursed expenses the family has incurred so far in 2012

What We Cannot Consider

• Private elementary or secondary school tuition unless required because of disabilities or medical condition
• Potential reductions in income due to lost overtime or fluctuating commissions
• Consumer debt expenses such as credit-card or car payments
• Refusal of a parent to provide financial support