If you or your parent(s) have been impacted financially by circumstances such as loss of income, loss of employment, or other circumstances that significantly impact your or your family’s ability to pay for future educational expenses, the Office of Financial Aid may be able to consider them.
Please reference the chart below to determine which process is appropriate for your
situation.
Examples (though not an exhaustive list) of possible circumstances include:
|
Special Circumstance Appeal Form Dependent or Independent |
Unusual Circumstances Appeal Form |
|
| Circumstance Examples |
Income Loss, Change in Marital Status, Change in Number in College, Parental Death. |
Victim of Human Trafficking, Parent Incarceration, Refugee with no Parent Support, Documented Parental Abuse, Parental Incarceration. |
| Additional Information |
Appeals for additional financial aid should be submitted if a family's entire financial situation is not represented by information provided on the FAFSA and federal tax returns AND is beyond the family's control. |
This is often referred to as a "Dependency Override". This may adjust a student's dependency status and what information is required on other financial aid documentation. |
|
Supporting Documentation Examples |
Appeal Letter, Past or Current Year Tax Documentation, Medical Bills |
Court Order Showing Incarceration, Welfare Agency Statement, Case Worker Statement, Court Appointed Guardian or Advocate Statement. |
Students wishing to appeal must complete the appropriate online form Financial Aid On-line Forms | MICA, as well as provide any requested supporting documentation.
Appellants should receive a decision on their request within 14 business days after submitting all requested and required documentation. Appeals may be denied, approved for federal aid eligibility, or approved for both federal and institutional aid eligibility. All appeals for unusual circumstances are assessed and adjudicated by the staff in the MICA Financial Aid Office.