Find out if your circumstances qualify you for additional federal aid in the 2021-22 academic year.
What is a Change of Circumstance?
The FAFSA uses tax information from two years ago to determine the federal aid you can receive (e.g. 2019 taxes for 2021-22 school year), but we know, especially with COVID-19, that a lot may have changed about your financial situation that is not reflected in your tax information from two years ago.
While the FAFSA doesn't have an option to note these changes, our Financial Aid Office can reevaluate the amount of aid you have been awarded if you have faced a significant change to your or your family's ability to pay for classes.
These changes of circumstance can include but are not limited to:
- Major Medical Expenses
- Major Household Changes/Expenses
- Employment Changes
Requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and do not guarantee an adjustment or addition to your financial aid award.
Who May Be Eligible?
You may be eligible if you experienced a significant change to your ability to pay for college such as:
- Major Medical Expenses
- Major Household Changes/Expenses
- Employment Changes
Some changes that are not considered when applying for a Change of Circumstance include: mortgage payments, personal debts, discretionary expenses, car payments, utilities, etc.
You must also meet the following criteria to be eligible to submit a request for review:
- U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident with a current FAFSA on file with FSW
- Currently admitted and/or enrolled degree-seeking student at FSW
Next Steps to Apply
If you think you may be eligible for a review of your circumstances and financial aid, take the following steps:
- Although not required, we strongly recommend that you to speak to a Financial Aid Specialist before submitting your request to receive direction regarding documentation of your unique situation and the next steps.
- The review process can be complex and will take time. If you are submitting your request close to a payment deadline, make alternative arrangements for payment if current aid awarded does not cover your balance to ensure your courses do not get dropped. Any approved changes to your aid as a result of the review process will be retroactive.
- Complete the Family Contribution Appeal form at fsw.verifymyfafsa.com.
Remember: Requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and do not guarantee an adjustment or addition to your financial aid award.
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