Special or Unusual Circumstances Appeals

Special Circumstances

If your financial situation has changed since you filed your tax return or your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no longer reflects your current circumstances, you may be eligible to apply for additional need-based financial aid using a process known as Professional Judgment.

Professional Judgment for special or unusual circumstances refers to New York Institute of Technology’s authority to adjust, on a case-by-case basis, the information reported on the FAFSA so that the Department of Education can recalculate the Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI is the number provided by the Department of Education that New York Tech uses to determine if a student is eligible for need-based financial aid.

Please note that a request for consideration of a special or unusual circumstance does not guarantee approval. In addition, even if approved, a recalculation of FAFSA data does not always result in increased aid eligibility for the student.

The special/unusual circumstances appeal process is extensive and requires a thorough review by the Office of Financial Aid to determine what, if any changes, may be appropriate based on your FAFSA.

Special circumstances include (but are not limited to):

  • Loss of or change in income or employment
  • Death of a parent/spouse
  • Divorce or separation
  • One-time payment received
  • Declared state of emergency/natural disaster (COVID-19, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.)
  • Unusually high medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance (paid out-of-pocket)
  • Unusually high childcare or dependent care expenses
  • Other special circumstances outside of the student’s control

Situations that are not considered special circumstances:

  • Vacation expenses
  • Tithing expenses
  • Standard living expenses (e.g., utilities, credit card expenses, children’s allowances, etc.)
  • Mortgage payments
  • Car payments
  • Credit card or other personal debt issues

How to Submit a Special Circumstances Appeal

If you believe you qualify for a special circumstances re-evaluation of your financial aid, please submit the appropriate Request for Re-evaluation form for a dependent or independent student.

The application and supporting documents will be reviewed to determine if all required documentation has been submitted. If additional documentation is required, the student will be notified.

The Office of Financial Aid will determine if a student’s special circumstances appeal meets the criteria to make FAFSA adjustments:

  • If the appeal is approved, appropriate changes will be made to the student’s FAFSA and submitted to the Department of Education. The Department of Education will then recalculate the Student Aid Index (SAI) and the student’s eligibility for need-based aid. A revised Financial Assistance Plan will be sent to the student.
  • If the appeal is denied, the student will be notified by email.

The Office of Financial Aid reserves the right to deny any appeals that would not increase a student’s eligibility for aid. Its decision is final and cannot be appealed to the Department of Education.

The special circumstances appeal process is not for New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Tuition Assistance Program (NYS HESC TAP) grants. Please contact the state directly by emailing hesc.ny.gov or by scheduling a call with a HESC representative if you have special circumstances or considerations.

Unusual Circumstances and Dependency Status

Your dependency status is determined by the Department of Education when you complete the FAFSA. If you are considered “dependent,” your financial aid eligibility is based on your and your parents’ income and assets. Under very limited circumstances you may be able to appeal your dependent status. Students who have received dependency changes at other schools will be required to provide documentation to New York Tech.

Dependency status cannot be changed simply because the student is self-supporting and/or resides separately from parent(s), the student and parent(s) are estranged, the parent(s) does not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes, the parent(s) refuses to provide information on the FAFSA, or parent(s) refuses to contribute to the student’s education.

Unusual circumstances may include (but are not limited to):

  • Abusive home environment
  • Abandonment
  • Student is homeless
  • Student is unaccompanied
  • Parent death after FAFSA was completed

The following situations do not, by themselves, qualify as unusual circumstances to grant an appeal:

  • Parents refuse to contribute to the student’s education
  • Parents are unwilling to provide information on the FAFSA or for verification
  • Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes
  • Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency
  • Student and parents “don’t get along”
  • Student is a single parent or pregnant

How to Submit an Unusual Circumstances Appeal

If you believe you qualify for an unusual circumstances appeal, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@nyit.edu, 516.686.7680, or by Zoom appointment to speak with an advisor.

Questions? Contact Us

Please contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@nyit.edu or 516.686.7680 to speak with an advisor.