2026-2027 Special Circumstances Form for Returning Students

2026-2027 Special Circumstances Form for Returning Students

We appreciate that the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) may not present an accurate picture of your unique financial situation and resources available. This Special Circumstances Consideration form allows you to supplement your FAFSA information or document any financial circumstances that have changed or arisen since your FAFSA was filed. The RWU FA Appeals Committee will reevaluate your eligibility for additional federal, state or institutional aid in the context of the information you provide. Our financial aid staff may require further documentation and will work with your family to make sure you are receiving the fullest consideration for aid eligibility while adhering to federal, state, and institutional policies and guidelines.

Complete both pages of this form, attaching detailed documentation that best explains the nature of your situation. Keep in mind:
(1) The student must complete the FAFSA before the FA Appeals Committee can review this appeal.
(2) Filing this form does not guarantee an adjustment to your financial aid package.
(3) If your FAFSA was selected for federal verification, you must complete that process before your appeal is reviewed.
(4) Decisions of the Appeals Committee are final. Further appeals will be reviewed when newer information or circumstances arise.

Personal Information

Student's ID Number (7 Digits)

First Name

Middle Name

Last Name

RWU Student Email Address (please use @g.rwu.edu in the email extension)

Semester Information

What is the current semester you are registered for?

Fall (August through December)
Spring (January through May)

What is the current semester you are registered for?

Fall (August through December)
Spring (January through May)

Fall 2026

Spring 2027

Financial Aid Dependency Status

Were you required to provide parent information on your FAFSA?

Yes

Special Circumstances for Consideration

Please review and indicate below which special circumstance applies to you based on your status as a dependent or independent student. Check all that apply and provide as much supplemental material as possible. Information noted below as Required Documentation must be submitted with this form to avoid delays in our ability to make a timely appeal determination.

Loss of Employment

Other Loss of Income (alimony, child support, retirement/pension, social security (taxed), worker's compensation)

Separation or Divorce

Death of Parent or Spouse

Medical/Dental Expense

Other Consideration

Loss of Employment

Dependent Student
The 2025-2026 income earned by you and/or your parent(s) will be less than that earned in 2024.

Submit signed copies of

Last pay stub showing year-to-date earnings
Copy of termination notice from employer
Unemployment benefit notice

Independent Student
The 2025-2026 income earned by you and/or your spouse will be less than that earned in 2024.

Submit signed copies of

Last pay stub showing year-to-date earnings
Copy of termination notice from employer
Unemployment benefit notice

Last paystub showing year-to-date earnings.

Copy of termination letter from employer.

Copy of unemployment benefit notice.

Other Loss of Income

Alimony
Child Support
Retirement/Pension
Social Security (Taxed)
Worker's Compensation

Dependent Student
You and your parent(s) received benefits in 2024 that have ceased or been reduced in 2025 or 2026.

Submit signed copies of

Original 2024 benefit statement listing total amount received
Revised benefit statement listing updated amount to receive and effective date

Independent Student
You and/or your spouse received benefits in 2024 that have ceased or been reduced in 2025 or 2026.

Submit signed copies of

Original 2024 benefit statement listing total amount received
Revised benefit statement listing updated amount to receive and effective date

Original 2024 benefit statement listing updated amount to receive and effective date.

Revised benefit statement listing updated amount to receive and effective date.

Separation or Divorce

Dependent Students
Your parents separated or divorced AFTER filing the FAFSA, but not later than 12/31/26.

Students appealing based on loss of separation or divorce, should upload the following documentation:

Independent Students
You and your spouse separated or divorced AFTER filing the FAFSA,, but not later than 12/31/26.

Students appealing based on loss of separation or divorce, should upload the following documentation:

Divorce degree or legal separation agreement

Death of Parent or Spouse

Dependent Students
A parent has died AFTER filing the FAFSA

Students appealing based on loss of death of a parent should upload the following documentation:

Independent Students
Your spouse has died AFTER filing the FAFSA.

Students appealing based on loss of death of a spouse should upload the following documentation:

Copy of death certificate

Medical/Dental Expense

Dependent Students:
Paid 202 medical and/or dental expenses by you or your parent(s) were over 7.5% of your AGI.

Students appealing based on medical and/or dental, should upload the following documentation:

Independent Students:
Paid 2024 medical and/or dental expenses by you or your spouse were over 7.5% of your AGI.

Students appealing based on medical and/or dental, should upload the following documentation:

Proof all paid out-of-pocket expenses for 2024.

Other Consideration

Please detail your other circumstances that have not been defined on this sheet so far (examples include: private secondary school expenses for younger siblings, care costs for elderly parents).

I would like to upload additional documentation.

Document #1 (optional)

Document #2 (optional)

Document #3 (optional)

Document #4 (optional)

Document #5 (optional)

Projected Income and Benefits

You must provide the following information, including the best estimate of the changes in the financial situation for yourself and/or your parent(s) for one of the time periods indicated below.

Please check the tax year for which your estimated income is being provided:

2025 (1/1/2025 through 12/31/2025)

2026 (1/1/2026 through 12/31/2026)

Please check off whose estimated income is being provided.

Student

Father/Stepfather

Mother/Stepmother

Student

Student's Spouse

Student's Wages, Tips, Salary

Student's Interest and/or Dividend Income

Student's Unemployment Compensation

Student's Worker's Compensation

Student's Pensions and/or Annuities

Student's Severance Pay

Student's Retirement Benefits

Student's Disability Benefits (taxable)

Student's Social Security Benefits (taxable)

Student's Child Support

Student's Alimony

Father's/Stepfather's Wages, Tips, Salary

Father's/Stepfather's Interest and/or Dividend Income

Father's/Stepfather's Unemployment Compensation

Father's/Stepfather's Worker's Compensation

Father's/Stepfather's Pensions and/or Annuities

Father's/Stepfather's Severance Pay

Father's/Stepfather's Retirement Benefits

Father's/Stepfather's Disability Benefits (taxable)

Father's/Stepfather's Social Security Benefits (taxable)

Father's/Stepfather's Child Support

Father's/Stepfather's Alimony

Mother's/Stepmother's Wages, Tips, Salary

Mother's/Stepmother's Interest and/or Dividend Income

Mother's/Stepmother's Unemployment Compensation

Mother's/Stepmother's Worker's Compensation

Mother's/Stepmother's Pensions and/or Annuities

Mother's/Stepmother's Severance Pay

Mother's/Stepmother's Retirement Benefits

Mother's/Stepmother's Disability Benefits (taxable)

Mother's/Stepmother's Social Security Benefits (taxable)

Mother's/Stepmother's Child Support

Mother's/Stepmother's Alimony

Student's Spouse's Wages, Tips, Salary

Student's Spouse's Interest and/or Dividend Income

Student's Spouse's Unemployment Compensation

Student's Spouse's Worker's Compensation

Student's Spouse's Pensions and/or Annuities

Student's Spouse's Severance Pay

Student's Spouse's Retirement Benefits

Student's Spouse's Disability Benefits (taxable)

Student's Spouse's Social Security Benefits (taxable)

Student's Spouse's Child Support

Student's Spouse's Alimony

Explanation of Special Circumstances

INSTRUCTIONS: Provide us with a brief statement detailing the specifics of your circumstances and provide any pertinent information that will helps us better understand you and your particular situation.

Signed Statement of Certification

I understand by signing and submitting this form that I am providing consent for committee members to have access to my financial and academic information. I certify that the information provided here is correct to the best of my knowledge and that I have attached all appropriate documentation. I understand that the factors in determining a family’s contribution are based on laws and guidelines by the Federal Government and the University. I understand these guidelines are the same for all who are in similar economic situations. Furthermore, I understand that submission of my appeal does not automatically qualify me for an increase in funds. All persons providing information must sign below.

Student Signature

Click to Sign...

Parent Signature

Click to Sign...

Student's Spouse's Signature

Click to Sign...

Important notes about submitting an appeal due to special circumstances

If you filed your 2026-2027 FAFSA and received an SAI equal to or less than zero (0), you already received the maximum in federal aid. Submitting this appeal may result in an increase in RWU institutional aid only.
If the estimated income for 2025 or 2026 is approximately the same or higher, (due to receiving unemployment, severance pay, other untaxed income, etc.), than the 2024 income listed on the FAFSA, submitting this appeal will not produce a change to your financial aid offer.
Some aid funding awarded on appeal is based on a one fiscal-year status, while other awards may be renewable. Each circumstance is reviewed on an individual basis.