Professional Judgement
Students have the right to request an adjustment based on special or unusual circumstances.
Special Circumstances: Change in employment status, income, or assets, paid medical, dental, or nursing home expenses not covered by insurance, child or dependent care expenses, other changes or adjustments that impact the student’s costs or ability to pay for college. Items that would not be considered special circumstances would be vacation expenses, tithing expenses, and standard living expenses (e.g. Utilities, credit card expenses, children’s allowances, etc.). The financial aid administrator may be able to adjust some line items on the ISIR.
Unusual Circumstances: human trafficking, refugee or asylee status, parental abuse or abandonment, incarceration could allow a financial aid administrator the ability to change a student from dependent to independent.