Special Circumstance Guidelines

MSU's Office of Student Financial Aid aims to address all students' financial needs. To the extent allowed we will consider life changes which render the information on your Free Application of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) inaccurate (e.g., a recent and significant loss of income). Special circumstances are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, with the judgment of the administration serving as the final decision.

Review the guidelines below before submitting the Special Circumstance application. There are separate applications for Dependent students and Independent students.

Submitting a Special Circumstance application does not guarantee any change of your financial aid award. Because of this, you are responsible for your MSU account balance. Students with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $0 may not submit a Special Circumstance application, as no aid increases can be made.

Use the table below to determine your particular circumstance. Action will be taken when the Office of Student Financial Aid receives all requested documentation, supporting summaries, and a complete and signed Special Circumstance Worksheet. To help with processing, please write the students BearPass Number on all submitted documents.

Important Dates

November 1, 2023 - Some circumstances will require you to submit a 2023 tax return if you apply for Special Circumstance consideration after November 1, 2023
April 21, 2024 - The final day to submit the 2023-2024 Special Circumstances application and supporting documents

2023-2024 Circumstance	Guidelines
Loss/Change in Employment	Change must be continuous for 8+ weeks Individual may also qualify as a Dislocated Worker
Student, parent, or spouse received public assistance, is a dislocated worker, or is a displaced homemaker	If these questions were answered incorrectly on the FAFSA, submit this form to correct the FAFSA If the student, parent, or spouse could not answer "Yes" to any of these FAFSA questions when the FAFSA was filed, but now can, submit this form to request a FAFSA update Documentation is required for all circumstances
Parents or student/spouse are now divorced or separated Dependent student's parent is deceased Independent student's spouse is deceased	If the status was incorrectly reported on the FAFSA, submit this form to request a FAFSA correction If the status changed after the FAFSA was filed, submit this form to request a FAFSA update. Not all update requests will be granted Additional documentation is required (see worksheet) Individual may also qualify as a Displaced Homemaker
Unemployment benefits have ended	Will remove 2022 unemployment benefits from EFC calculation Will remove 2022 unemployment benefits from EFC calculation if another special circumstance option is requested All recipients must have received more than $10,200 each in 2021 No minimum to the amount received in 2022
Expenses paid for private or parochial school in 2021	Only expenses paid by family will be considered Requires supplemental Private Tuition Payment Verification
High medical or dental expenses paid in 2022	An appointment with a financial aid counselor is highly recommended before selecting this option Only expenses paid by family will be considered. Charges paid or reimbursed by a third party or insurance will not be considered
Child support received in 2022 has been reduced	Documentation from Court or Child Service Agency is required
Parent attended college during the 2022 calendar year	Parent must be degree-seeking and enrolled at least half-time at an accredited institution Only expenses paid by the parent will be considered. Charges paid or reimbursed by a third party will not be considered
Other circumstances not listed	Select this option if your 2023 income has decreased drastically from 2021 An appointment with a financial aid counselor is highly recommended before selecting this option