Special Circumstances & Revision Requests

Medical or dental expenses that have occurred and have been paid for- out of pocket expenses not covered by insurance- may be considered by submitting an appeal. We will review your appeal to see if we can recalculate and lower your Student Aid Index (SAI) or increase your budget for additional eligible aid.

• Schedule A from the tax return for your chosen appeal time frame

*Please note: If your SAI is “0”, then you will be considered for a budget increase for an additional loan, if eligible, with the maximum limit of $1,500 after accounting for the Income Protection Allowance (IPA).

When there is a change in income due to the death of a dependent student’s parent or the student’s spouse, the following documentation must be submitted:

• One of the following proof of death
  • Death certificate
  • Newspaper obituary
  • Death notice
• Proof of income from the deceased individual
  • W2s
  • Last Pay Stub

Change in parents’ marital status

For dependent students

When there is a divorce or separation between parents of a dependent student or between the student and their spouse, the following documentation must be submitted:

• Divorce: Legal dissolution of marriage if divorced or legally separated.
• Separation: Documentation showing two different billing addresses (electric bill, rental agreement, etc.)
• Income documentation that outlines separate wages.
  • W2s
  • Paystubs
  • Documentation of spousal support

Change in student’s marital status

For dependent students:

If you get married after submitting your financial aid application, you may apply to have your dependency status changed from dependent to independent.

WASFA corrections can be made on Wsac.wa.gov. FAFSA corrections can be made on Studentaid.gov. You will be asked to supply documentation regarding your change in marital status.

For independent students

If you get married after submitting your financial aid application, you will need to wait until your next year’s FAFSA or WASFA to change your marital status.

Changes in income due to at least one of the following:

• Loss of employment
• Reduction in pay
• Reduction in hours

The information submitted on the FAFSA/WASFA is a snapshot of income from two years prior. For example, the 2023-2024 FAFSA/WASFA asks for 2021 income. If there is a loss or change of employment (parents, student, or spouse), then we may review documentation to see if we can recalculate and lower your Student Aid Index (SAI). Below are examples of acceptable documentation.

• Letter of explanation that addresses the changes in income with start and end dates.
• Most recent completed tax returns
• Documentation that shows proof of employment loss or change.
  • Last pay stub from former employer
  • Unemployment benefit approval or denial letter
• Documentation that shows the income that will be earned in the time frame of the appeal.
  • Unemployment benefit approval or denial letter
  • Letters of received assistance
  • Severance/separation income

The FAFSA/WASFA does not account for a parent attending college. Our office may consider a parent enrolled at least half-time as a degree seeking student for out-of-pocket expenses for tuition, textbooks, and required fees. The parent must be on the FAFSA/WASFA and these expenses must have occurred and been paid. We are unable to make any adjustments if an employer or third party is covering the expenses.

• Billing or account statement from the institution
• Submit proof of personal payment
• Textbook receipts

A parent with federal educational loans from their own education may submit documentation to see if we can recalculate your Student Aid Index (SAI). We will only consider the parent’s federal Stafford, Direct, or Perkins educational loans and the loans must be in a repayment status. The parent must be on the FAFSA/WASFA and expenses must have occurred and been paid in your chosen appeal time frame.

Loan payments that are made on behalf of a third party will not be considered. Credit card debt, Parent PLUS Loans, private, or equity loans taken out to pay for educational expenses will not be reviewed.

• Submit proof of personal payment, payment history or account statement from the loan servicer in the time frame of the appeal
• Documentation must include the parent’s name, name of loan servicer, type of loan, proof of payment and payment dates.

Our office may consider K-12 private school educational expenses for tuition, required fees, uniforms, and books. These expenses must have occurred and been paid for in your chosen appeal time frame.

• Billing or account statement from the institution
• Submit proof of personal payment
• Textbook receipts