Santa Clara University

If you have special circumstances not fully explained by your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), your federal tax returns or other documents you have submitted, please submit your SCU 2009-10 Special Circumstances Form to the Financial Aid Office along with appropriate documentation.

When considering your special circumstances, the Financial Aid Office takes into account the availability of funds, your demonstrated financial need, the timeliness of your original application for financial aid, the timeliness of your appeal and the nature of the change in your circumstances that you reported.

As a reminder: Santa Clara University does not hold either need-based or merit-based aid in reserve for appeals. All available funds are offered at the time of the initial award. All valid appeals will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. However, we cannot guarantee a specific response time. Any Santa Clara University funds granted on appeals are one-time only and not renewable.

Re-evaluation of your financial aid eligibility is subject to federal, state and University regulations.

Please select from the appropriate links below for the required documentation:

Decrease in parents income

Parent expects income to be significantly less (at least 25%) in 2009 than in 2008 due to 10 weeks or more of involuntary unemployment, forced retirement or other non-elective loss of earned income.

• Termination of Employment
  • Complete the 2009-10 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    
  • Complete the SCU 2009-10 Special Circumstances Form
    
  • Submit a copy of the last/most recent pay stub
    
  • Submit a copy of the termination notice from employer
    
  • Submit a copy of Unemployment benefit eligibility from the U.S. Department of Labor
    
• Significant Change of Income/Employment Status
  • Complete the 2009-10 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    
  • Complete the SCU 2009-10 Special Circumstances Form
    
  • Submit a copy of the last/most recent pay stub
    
  • Provide a letter of explanation from employer
    
• Termination or reduction to untaxed benefits, including Social Security, child support, disability
  • Complete the 2009-10 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    
  • Complete the SCU 2009-10 Special Circumstances Form
    
  • Submit documentation of reduction
    
  • Provide a letter of explanation for change from granting authority
    
• Business/Farm Income
  • Complete the 2009-10 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    
  • Complete the SCU 2009-10 Special Circumstances Form
    
  • Submit a detailed listing of income for all sources and expenses for current tax year
    
  • Provide a letter of explanation for the circumstances

Change of Marital Status

• Divorce/Separation
  • Complete the 2009-10 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    
  • Complete the SCU 2009-10 Special Circumstances Form
    
  • Submit documentation of second household expenses
    
  • Submit a listing of child support and/or alimony expected to be paid and/or received

Other Extenuating Circumstances

• Change of Finances
  • Complete the 2009-10 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    
  • Complete the SCU 2009-10 Special Circumstances Form
    
  • Submit a detailed description of error and corrections
    
  • Submit documentation of correct amount
    
• Long-term Illness or Disability
  • Complete the 2009-10 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    
  • Complete the SCU 2009-10 Special Circumstances Form
    
  • Submit documentation of medical bills paid during prior tax year
    
  • Submit documentation of Long-term Illness or Disability
    
• Death of Parent or Spouse
  • Complete the 2009-10 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    
  • Complete the SCU 2009-10 Special Circumstances Form
    
  • Submit documentation of expected Social Security benefits for all family members
    
  • Submit a copy of the death certificate
    
  • Submit documentation of other distributions from inheritance assets or other benefits sources including life insurance
    
• Medical
  • Complete the 2009-10 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    
  • Complete the SCU 2009-10 Special Circumstances Form
    
  • Submit documentation of medical bills paid during prior tax year
    
  • If there is an ongoing condition, please provide documentation and/or estimate of treatment costs