Special Circumstances

Special Circumstance Evaluations for Changes in Financial Circumstances

If you submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), your Student Aid Index (SAI) is calculated through a formula established by federal law. SAI is an index number used to determine your eligibility for federal and state financial aid. Learn more about your SAI.

Changes in Financial Circumstances

When you submit the FAFSA form, you are required to enter income information from two years prior. For example, on the 2024-2025 form, you will list 2022 income data.

If the information reported on the FAFSA is no longer an accurate reflection of your family's current financial situation due to a significant loss of income or other extraordinary circumstance, you have the option of submitting a Special Circumstance Form to the UTA Office of Financial Aid (along with supporting documentation) for consideration of an adjustment. Qualifying changes in circumstances include:

  • Your parent lost their job, or their income significantly decreased (if dependent).
  • You lost your job, or your income significantly decreased.
  • There was a death of a parent or spouse.
  • Separation/divorce of a parent or spouse.
  • Your family has a high amount of paid out-of-pocket medical expenses (medical bills must be paid during the current year and must total more than 11% of your family income).

A review of your circumstances does not guarantee that you will be offered additional financial aid funds. If you are in one of the situation below, completing the Special Circumstance process will not result in an increase in your financial aid eligibility:

  • A "0" and below SAI means you are already receiving the maximum amount of financial aid you qualify for that was available at the time of you being packaged.
  • If you are in a graduate program and have received the maximum loan amount you are eligible to receive based on federal annual loan limits.
  • If the information you provide doesn't change the overall FAFSA calculation to allow for additional financial aid offers.

Below you will find the Special Circumstance Form available for the 2024-2025 aid years:

2024-2025 Special Circumstance Form - This form applies to the Summer 2024, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025 semesters. 

Contact Us

Feel free to contact our office if you have any questions or if you wish to discuss your current circumstances and whether or not this process would benefit you.

If you are a parent and wish to discuss your student's financial aid information without them being present, please ask your student to grant you guest access to their financial aid information.