Financial Aid » The Process » Applying » Special Circumstances

Special Circumstances

Occasionally, unusual circumstances exist that may warrant reconsideration of financial aid eligibility. These special circumstances may be either changes that have occurred in your family circumstances since you filed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or unusual family circumstances not accounted for on the FAFSA. Below are the circumstances that normally qualify a student to file a Special Circumstances Form with Grand Valley's Financial Aid Office. If your circumstance(s) does NOT fit into one of the options below, you may still file the Special Circumstances Form and attach a letter explaining your situation. 

Please Note: If you are filing a form for any type of income reduction (for either parent or student), we require a copy of a severance or early retirement letter, OR a copy of  an unemployment notification from the state.

Special Circumstances Options: 

• Medical/Dental Expenses
• Separation/Divorce of Parent
• Death of Parent 
• Separation/Divorce of Student's Spouse
• Death of Student's Spouse
• Elementary and Secondary Tuition Expenses 
• Parent Income Reduction
• Independent Student Income Reduction 
• Reduction in Child Support and/or Social Security Benefits
• Special Circumstance Form (Other Circumstances)

With income reduction a longer time period is required before our office can review your award.  We must wait until the majority of the calendar year has passed in order to make the best estimate of your and your families income for the calendar year.

You will receive a written correspondence from the Financial Aid Office within 2-3 weeks notifying you of the decision.