Eligibility Under Special Circumstances

While the process for determining student aid eligibility is the same for all students, there is some flexibility. If a family has special circumstances that will affect the amount the family could contribute to college expenses, the office of financial aid has the authority to use professional judgment to make certain adjustments in the financial aid process.

The office of financial aid may adjust:

• The cost of attendance.
• The figures used to calculate the expected family contribution.
• The student's dependency status from dependent to independent.

Each college has its own policies regarding what circumstances are considered "special," so the results of a special circumstances appeal could vary from school to school. At Xavier, our policy is to consider the following circumstances as "special circumstances:"

The cost of attendance may be adjusted for students that have the following unusual, yet reasonable, expenses:

• Costs associated with an internship or cooperative education program.
• Costs for additional books and/or supplies needed for special school projects (e.g., senior thesis expenses).
• Costs for emergency travel expenses.

The expected family contribution may be adjusted if:

• The student's or parents' income during the school year will be much lower than the income for the year reported on the FAFSA because the student or parent:
  • Had a change in employer.
  • Lost a job or retired from a job.
  • Had a reduction in, or loss of child support, social security benefit, or other benefits received.
  • Received income (other than wages) during the FAFSA year which will not be received during the current year.
• The income reported on the FAFSA does not accurately reflect the available income because during the same year:
  • The family paid tuition of more than $7,500 to private elementary or high schools.
  • The family paid more than 7.5% of its adjusted gross income for medical and/or dental expenses which were not covered by insurance.
  • One of the parents listed on the FAFSA will be enrolled in school at least half time during the current school year, and the parent will be paying tuition for those courses

If you have one of the special circumstances listed above, contact the office of financial aid to receive our Special Circumstances form.

Dependency status may be adjusted from dependent to independent if a student classified as dependent according to the federal government criteria believes he or she should be independent because:

• The student has had no parental contact for more than one year due to serious family problems (such as mental or physical abuse), or parental contact has been limited in order to insure mental and physical well being.
• The student was married, but is now divorced and maintaining an independent household.

If one of the circumstances above describes your situation, complete our online Dependency Appeal form . This form will allow us to consider your request for a change in your dependency status.