PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT / SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
Students whose families experience a change in financial circumstances are eligible for a review of those changed circumstances.
Special circumstances include, but are not limited to:
· Loss of job or reduction in income
· Loss or reduction of some type of untaxed income or benefit
· Low parent income and student support of household expenses
· Separation, divorce or death of one of the student’s parents or student’s spouse
· Reduction in student income due to lack of a summer job
· Student leaving a full-time job to attend UMD
· Unusual medical expenses
· Other unusual expenses or one-time sources of income
· Addition of parent to the number in college (granted only if related to job / employment, retraining, career advancement / promotion)
Process:
Students who wish to have their special circumstances reviewed, should submit a detailed letter describing the circumstance. You may be asked to submit additional documentation including, copies of the most recent Federal tax return, W-2, and pay stubs, to the Financial Aid Office.
The administrator will review the information contained in the letter and accompanying documentation and determine if an adjustment is warranted.
Appeal for Independent Status
For financial aid consideration, Federal regulations state that you must meet at least one of the following requirements to be considered independent from your parents:
* You were born before January 1, 1986.
* You are married.
* You will be working on a master's or doctorate program.
* You are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training.
* You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.
* You have children who will receive more that half of their support from you.
* You have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now through June 30, 2010.
* At any time since you turned 13, both of your parents were deceased, you were in foster care or you were a dependent or ward of the court.
* You are an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence.
* You are in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence.
* At any time on or after July 1, 2008, your high school district homeless liaison determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless.
* At any time on or after July 1, 2008, the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless.
* At any time on or after July 1, 2008, the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless.
If you do not meet any of the above criteria, then you are considered a dependent student and you must report your parent's information and signature on the FAFSA.
Federal law provides that, under very limited special circumstances, you may submit your FAFSA without parental information.
Not all situations are considered a special circumstance. The following are situations that would not be considered a special circumstance:
* Your parents do not want to provide their information on your FAFSA; or
* Your parents refuse to contribute to your college expenses: or
* Your parent do not claim you as a dependent on their income taxes; or
* You do not live with your parents.
Examples of a special circumstance where you may submit your FAFSA without providing parental information include:
* Your parents are incarcerated: or
* You have left home due to an abusive family environment where there has been a complete breakdown in the family unit. This would include a history of documented emotional or physical abuse; or
* You do not know where your parents are and are unable to contact them (and you have not been adopted); or
* Psychological or physical disorders that have caused extreme dysfunction in the family unit.
If you believe you have a special circumstance that would make you independent, you may apply for a 2009-2010 Appeal for Independent Status by completing and returning the following form with supporting documentaiton to the UMass Dartmouth Financial Aid Services Office.
What type of documentation is required?
* A personal letter from the student detailing the special circumstance.
* Letters from 3 professionals, who are familiar with your situation (high school officials, clergy, physicians, therapists, social workers, etc).
* Legal documents, court records, and police reports may also be submitted with your appeal.
How will your appeal be reviewed?
* Two or more financial aid administrators will review your confidential appeal.
* Any decision rendered from Umass Dartmouth applies to the current award year only and only to UMass Dartmouth.
* The federal government has given financial aid administrators the option to use professional judgement for extenuating circumstances, and their decision is considered final by the U.S. Department of Education.
Last Updated On: 3/11/09
