Special Circumstances - Changes to Financial Situation

The financial aid office has the ability to update the information on the FAFSA if the data listed no longer reflects a student or family’s current financial circumstances. The FAFSA uses income levels as part of its calculation, and this calculation determines if the student meets the federal criteria of being high-need for any grant funding. For this reason, changes in income may not result in a change in eligibility for federal aid. For special circumstances such as the loss of a job or a large reduction in income, please review the following information to determine next steps:

2026–27 FAFSA

The FAFSA for 2026–27 uses income information from 2024. If you believe that your 2025 income or 2026 income is a more accurate representation of your circumstances, please submit the following information to our secure portal once you complete the appropriate form below:

Actual 2025 Income:

  • After mid-February, please document actual income from 2025 using the Special Circumstance Request for Parent(s) and Student - 2025 Tax Information Form (Dependent Student). This form will become available after mid-February, and you may complete it only after filing your 2025 federal tax return with the IRS, if required to file.
    • Use if you were required to provide your parent's information on the 2026–27 FAFSA
  • After mid-February, please document actual income from 2025 using the Special Circumstance Request for Independent Student - 2025 Tax Information Form (Independent Student). This form will become available after mid-February, and you may complete it only after filing your 2025 federal tax return with the IRS, if required to file.
    • Use if you were required to provide only your and, if you are married, your spouse's information on the 2026–27 FAFSA

or

Projected 2026 Income:

After July 1, 2026, please document projected income from 2026 using either:

  • The Special Circumstances Request for Parent(s) and Student - 2026 Projected Income Form (Dependent Student). This form will become available after July 1, 2026, and will allow you to provide year-to-date income documentation (limited exceptions may exist to submit earlier, please contact our office to discuss).
    • Use if you were required to provide your parent's information on the 2026–27 FAFSA
  • Special Circumstances Request for Independent Student - 2026 Projected Income Form (Independent Student). This form will become available after July 1, 2026.
    • Use if you were required to provide only your and, if you are married, your spouse's information on the 2026–27 FAFSA

2025-26 FAFSA

The FAFSA for 2025-26 uses income information from 2023. If you believe that your 2024 income or 2025 income is a more accurate representation of your circumstances, please submit the following information to our secure portal once you complete the appropriate form below:

Actual 2024 Income:

or

Projected 2025 Income:

Document projected income from 2025 using either: