Special Circumstances Consideration Request
Policy
It is the policy of UMW to review letters of special circumstances as they are submitted to the Office of Financial Aid. During the early stages of the processing year (January through March), the review process begins in late March. The circumstances being considered must have impacted the family for a minimum of two months prior to the request for review and still exist at the time of the request.
Procedure
Mail, fax (540 654-1858) or e-mail (finaid@umw.edu) a letter of special circumstances providing the specific details to the Office of Financial Aid. Include a completed copy of the Special Circumstances Request Form. A committee consisting of the Associate and Assistant Deans of Financial Aid review the letters weekly beginning in late March. Responses are e-mailed or mailed to families within two weeks after the review.
Circumstances that are considered
- Involuntary loss of employment for dependent student parent or independent student/spouse
- Retirement, divorce/separation or death of above named individuals
- Unusual medical expenses not covered by insurance
- Unexpected natural and unnatural disasters
Circumstances that are not considered
- Personal, credit card or consumer debt
- Tuition paid for private elementary, middle or high school
- Reduction in overtime pay
- Loss of employment for dependent student
Required documentation
- Completed and signed Estimated Income Form for the current year (second page)
- Copy of federal tax return for the year that was required to complete the FAFSA (While not initially required, this will be required for final determination.)
- Current pay stubs and letter of termination, if request due to loss of employment
- Summary documentation of medical expenses if appropriate
(Complete documentation required before aid disbursed).
- Summary documentation of medical expenses if appropriate
Dependency Status Overrides
Students who do not meet the criteria for independent status from the FAFSA will be considered only if there is documented intervention from social services, police, or a professional counselor, including the clergy. In some instances, students who have been married and then divorced may be considered. Appropriate documentation is required.
Click here to access the Special Circumstances Request Form