Special Circumstance Review Process

Southern Oregon University understands that a family’s financial situation can change. Since the FAFSA uses information from two years ago, the Special Circumstance Review lets us re-evaluate your aid if your household experiences a significant change.

Change to Student Aid Index (SAI)

**NOTE: A change to the SAI could result in a change of eligibility for need-based awards. However, it is NOT guaranteed.

Students who already have a 0 or negative SAI cannot be adjusted lower due to a Special Circumstance review. Graduate students are also not eligible for a Special Circumstance review unless they are being considered for need based financial aid.

Special Circumstance reviews are at institutional discretion and cannot be appealed to the Department of Education. Documentation is required and additional documentation may be required at any time during the process before a decision is made.

Possible changes include:

• Loss or change of employment (those due to personal choice are not applicable)
• Child support change
• Death of parent or spouse
• Excessive medical expenses (must exceed 11% of adjusted gross income)
• One-time taxable income (IRA distribution, pension distribution, etc.)
• Divorce or separation in the home

Change to Cost of Attendance (COA)

**NOTE: A change to the COA does not result in a change to need based awards. It simply increases the total budget (known as the COA), which allows for a potential increase in loan funding. Additional funding is not a guarantee even with an approved COA Appeal.

Possible changes include:

• Costs associated with a student’s disability.
• Dependent care—An allowance based on the estimated actual expenses incurred for dependent care, based on the number and age of such dependents.
  • Such allowance must not exceed the reasonable cost in the community in which such student resides for the kind of care provided; and
  • The period for which dependent care is required includes, but is not limited to, class-time, study-time, field work, internships, and commuting time.
• One-time purchase of a computer for educational use.
• Actual housing costs that exceed the allowance in the students COA.
• One-time cost of professional licensure required for student’s major.
• Study abroad expenses – An allowance for reasonable costs, for a student in a study abroad program approved for credit by the home institution.
• Professional licensure, certification, or a first professional credential – An allowance for the costs associated with obtaining a license, certification, or a first professional credential, for a student in a program that prepares them to enter a profession that requires such a qualification.

How to Apply for a Special Circumstance Review

If you meet one of the changes outlined above you can submit an appeal after June 30th before the academic year at sou.studentforms.com.

If you need to submit a Unusual Circumstances Appeal, please review the criteria and process here.