Special circumstance reviews

The following information will provide more guidance on whether or not to submit a review request and what you may reasonably expect after submitting your completed review form and required supporting documentation. Please review all points before submitting your information.

• If you have Student Aid Index of -1500 you are already receiving the maximum financial aid we are able to offer to you. There are no adjustments we can make to your FAFSA that would enable you to receive additional financial aid.
• Please realize that an approved Special Circumstance Review Request does not always result in additional financial aid. This could happen if your situation does not reduce (lower) your SAI enough to be within new financial aid eligibility levels for certain aid programs (Federal Pell Grant, Ohio College Opportunity Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Direct Subsidized Loan, etc.).

The following supporting documentation is required to be submitted along with your completed Special Circumstance Review Request Form. Do not submit your request form without all of the required supporting documentation. Incomplete forms/missing supporting documentation will delay the processing of your review.

• Federal tax return transcript or signed copy of 1040 form along with any schedules 1, 2, or 3, as applicable for student/spouse
• Federal tax return transcript  or signed copy of 1040 form along with any schedules 1, 2, or 3, as applicable for parent/s of dependent students 
• Letter from previous employer (on company/business letterhead) indicating start and end dates and year-to-date earnings
• W2s for student/spouse and/or Schedule C/C-EZ if self-employed 
• W2s for parent/s of dependent students and/or Schedule C/C-EZ if self-employed
• If reporting reduction in income, copy of last pay stub showing YTD earnings for the person(s) whose income was reduced 
• If reporting separation from employment, statement of unemployment benefits (if received)
• If reporting separation/divorce, appropriate court documents indicating date of separation or divorce
• If reporting death of spouse or parent, death certificate
• Academic year 2024-25: if reporting medical expenses not paid by insurance, a signed and dated summary totaling those expenses not covered in 2023 or 2024 (expenses must have been incurred in 2024 or 2025 and must not have been paid by insurance - you must be able to document this)