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    Special Circumstances

What's a "Special Circumstance"?

If this is the case for you, you must first complete the FAFSA for the particular year you will be impacted so that the financial aid office has an official Expected Family Contribution (EFC). After filing your FAFSA, contact a financial aid representative to see if your situation qualifies as a special circumstance. If a special circumstance applies to you, FSU can assess your situation and make adjustments to your FAFSA.

Special Circumstance Notes & Forms

Special Note: Forms and documents must be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid once all information has been gathered. A change in circumstance does not guarantee approval and an approval does not guarantee you will become eligible for more aid. It takes 6-8 weeks for a review. For updates, please contact Financial Aid at (850) 644-0539.

To download Special Circumstance forms, click on the link below:

Below is a brief description of various circumstances, as well as a list of documents generally required for each circumstance. Please consult with the Office of Financial Aid to see if they require additional official documentation of the special circumstance. Because circumstances can vary, the special circumstances below are not a full, exhaustive list. Contact the Office of Financial Aid regarding your specific case.


Types of Special Circumstances

View information regarding the types of Special Circumstances, as well as the documents required to turn into the Office of Financial aid.

Click the "+" to view or hide the required documents for each special circumstance.

Death of a Parent

In cases when there has been a death of one of the parents listed on the initial FAFSA filed.

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  • Copy of death certificate
  • Copy of all W-2 forms for surviving parent
    • if parent is not employed or a homemaker, please submit a notarized statement indicating how they have supported themselves financially for that year
  • Copy of SSA 1099 form if social security benefits were being received
  • Copy of most current tax return transcript AND first two pages of the 1040
 

Dependent or Elder Care Expenses

For expenses incurred by family who may be caring for a child or elderly parent who lives with them or in a nursing home and receives basic support or is financially dependent on them.

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  • Personal statement from family about circumstance (must be signed and notarized)
  • Physicians signed statement explaining condition
  • Proof of member registered at facility AND paid receipts or statements from facility
  • Details of elderly person’s income such as social security, pensions, and all other income
  • Itemization of expenses for elderly person or child
  • Copy of most current tax return transcript for parent(s)
  • Copy of first two pages of most recent 1040 for parent AND elderly person, if applicable
  • SSA 1099 and other 1099's if applicable
 

Distribution of Retirement Funds and Rollovers

For taxed or untaxed distributions that are a one-time transfer or “roll over” of funds to an eligible retirement plan, resource used to pay college costs, pay off debts, make home repairs, etc.

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  • Personal statement from family about circumstance (must be signed and notarized)
  • Copy of most current tax return transcript
  • Copy of first two pages of most recent 1040
  • Copy of 1099
  • Must include in statement what you did (or will do) with the distribution and provide an itemized list of family income, expenses, and receipts
 

Parent Divorce/Separation (after FAFSA submitted)

For use if parents become divorced or separated after FAFSA was processed as married.

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  • Copy of divorce or separation agreement
    • If separation agreement cannot be provided, a notarized statement is required and must include date of separation, both parents name and age, and living arrangements (address also must be listed)
    • Letter from attorney if divorce is not final
  • Rent/mortgage and/or utility receipts for both parents (to verify address)
  • Copy of primary parents most recent W-2
  • Copy of first two pages of most recent 1040
  • Copy of most current tax return transcript
 

Estimated Year Income/Loss of Income (parent or student)

For decrease in family income due to loss of parent or student’s employment, or parent’s temporary or permanent disability, loss of child support.

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  • Personal statement from family about circumstance (must be signed and notarized)
  • Proof of termination of income
    • employment verification, severance agreement, proof of unemployment, proof of disability and disability insurance
    • child support proof must be a support order from agency in charge of receiving payments
  • Four most recent pay statements
  • Copy of most current tax return transcript
  • Copy of first two pages of most recent 1040
  • W-2’s, SSA, and/or 1099's
 

Exceptional Expenses

For unavoidable expenses including natural disasters, funerals, uninsured casualty losses, chapter 13 bankruptcy, child support or legal fees related to divorce.

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  • Personal statement from family documenting the circumstance (must be signed and notarized)
  • Copies of payment plans or agreements, charges/receipts, and insurance statements
    • Child support proof must be a support order from agency in charge of receiving payments
  • Copy of first two pages of most recent 1040
  • Copy of most current tax return transcript
  • W-2's
 

Family Size Adjustment

For older siblings with significant disabilities that are unable to support themselves.

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  • Personal statement of person who is included in household must include name, age, support provided by parent (must be signed and notarized)
  • Documentation from medical care provider with proof of diagnosis
  • Copy of first two pages of most recent 1040 (to verify person is claimed on tax return)
 

Fluctuating Parent Income

For family income that varies from year to year due to the nature of parent’s employment (real estate agent, overtime, sales commissions, unpredictability of self-employment income, etc.).

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  • Personal statement from family documenting the circumstance (must be signed and notarized)
  • Tax returns from past 3 years
  • Copy of most current tax return transcript
  • W-2’s or 1099's
  • Four most recent pay statements
  • Letter from employer explaining change in overtime policies and opportunities, if applicable
 

Income Loss from Business

For business loss experienced of equipment, machinery, real estate, inventories, etc.

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  • Personal statement from family documenting the circumstance (must be signed and notarized)
  • Must include information for each business owned, value, debt, gross receipts and gross expenses
  • Most current 1040 tax return, with a Schedule C
    • If applicable, include Schedule E, F, 1065, & 1120
  • Schedule K-1 for S-corporation that reports shareholder’s income, losses, deductions and credits
  • Copy of first two pages of most recent 1040
  • Copy of most current tax return transcript
 

Non-Elective Medical/Dental Expenses (Paid Out of Pocket)

For extremely high unreimbursed medical or dental expenses that are ongoing or related to surgery or prolonged rehabilitation.

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  • Personal statement from family about circumstance (must be signed and notarized)
  • Most recent IRS form 1040 and Schedule A
  • Copies of charges, statements, and paid receipts
  • Copies of payment plans or agreements
  • Copy of most current tax return transcript
 

One Time Taxable Income

For portion of income that is a one-time income and not representative of the family’s annual recurring income.

This includes bonus income (not recurring bonuses), capital gains, gambling or prize earnings, early distribution of IRA or retirement, conversion of traditional IRA to Roth IRA, insurance settlement, severance package (including sick/vacation days paid due to termination), & debt cancellation.

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  • Personal statement and explanation of the income in question (must be signed and notarized)
  • Documentation from source that supports one time pay (for example, 1099 for debt cancellation or severance agreement)
  • Documentation of expenses or use of the one-time income
    • Were funds used to pay medical expenses, make home repairs, pay for school?
  • Copy of first two pages of most recent 1040
  • Copy of most current tax return transcript
 

Parent Enrolled in College

To account for the costs incurred by parents who are enrolled in college.

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  • Proof of enrollment from parent’s college or university
  • Verification of parent’s financial aid award and account statement
 

Special Education School Costs

For consideration of elementary and secondary school expenses for a child or children required to attend a school for medical, emotional, or physical reasons.

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  • Personal statement from family about circumstance (must be signed and notarized)
  • Physicians signed statement explaining condition
  • Receipts for tuition payments
  • Proof of enrollment from the school
  • Copy of first two pages of most recent 1040
  • Copy of most current tax return transcript