Financial Aid FAQs

Examples of circumstances that do not qualify as "Special Circumstances" include but are not limited to the following:

• Student or parent(s) who does not wish to borrow to cover educational expenses
• Parent(s) refusal to contribute to educational expenses
• Matching a financial aid offer from another college
• Parent(s) payment of student loans for older sibling
• Expenses such as credit card debt, wedding expenses, sports, enrichment activities, etc.
• Having a high mortgage/rent /car payment

If you're not sure whether or not your circumstances qualify as "Special Circumstances", please make an appointment to meet with your Financial Aid reviewer.

You should stop by the Financial Aid Office to request a "Special Circumstances" appeal. We will need extra paperwork, including tax transcripts and documentation of the reduction in pay such as paycheck stubs showing total earnings for the year to date. Special Circumstances Appeals can be submitted after the end of August.

You need to report your parents' information as requested on the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application but should then stop by the Financial Aid Office to request a "Special Circumstances" appeal. Only the Financial Aid Office can change the information on the financial aid application.

Contact the Financial Aid Office to see if you are eligible to do a "Special Circumstances" appeal, which would allow our office to override your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application information.

No. If you already have a zero EFC then you will receive the maximum amount of financial aid possible and there is no reason for you to do a Special Circumstances petition.

Your financial aid award for the whole academic year will be increased and, if applicable, you will be paid retroactively for the increased amounts from previous quarters.