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Special Circumstances

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The Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) uses the prior prior tax return year to estimate a family’s financial situation to assist in the determination of specific types of financial aid. However, a family may be experiencing a current hardship or unusual circumstance which is not reflected on the FAFSA.  Therefore, the Financial Aid Office can review these circumstances on a case-by-case basis to analyze if this would create a change in the student’s eligibility for financial aid.

Types of Special Circumstances:

  • Loss of employment
  • Change in employment
  • Change in or loss of unemployment benefits
  • IRA conversion from regular IRA to Roth IRA
  • Separation/divorce
  • Death of parent or spouse whose info was reported on FAFSA

Other situations that can be considered (for a re-evaluation of a student's Cost of Attendance):

  • High Cost Tuition programs
  • Unusually high medical or dental costs recently incurred
  • Transportation costs (based on mileage) that exceed $2000 for the year

Circumstances which do not warrant a review include unusual credit card debt, high living expenses, private secondary school educational costs, or parent’s refusal to pay for college.

To complete a screening form for a Special Circumstance, click here

After the form is completed, a Financial Aid Advisor will review and will communicate via your student email with any additional questions or next steps.  If we are able to move forward with your request, a form and supporting documentation will be required.

If you have any questions, please contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@nwtc.edu or 920-498-5444.