<p>One final link:
[FinAid</a> | Professional Judgment | Special Circumstances](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid)</p>
<p>The specific examples listed in the Higher Education Act include:
tuition expenses at an elementary or secondary school
medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance
unusually high child care costs
recent unemployment of a family member
the number of parents enrolled at least half-time in a degree, certificate, or other program leading to a recognized educational credential at a Title IV institution of higher education
proceeds of a sale of farm or business assets if the sale resulted from a voluntary or involuntary foreclosure, forfeiture, or bankruptcy or an involuntary liquidation
additional costs incurred as a result of a student�s disability.
or other changes in a family�s income, a family�s assets, or a student�s status</p>
<p>Other common special circumstances include:
Death, disability or serious illness of a wage-earner, or the wage-earner becomes mentally or physically incapacitated.
Unusual capital gains.
Roth IRA rollovers.
Custodial parent remarries after application date.
Death of custodial parent and student has not had any contact with non-custodial parent for many years.
The whereabouts of the parent are unknown.
Recent divorce of the student’s parents (i.e., to separate the income of the custodial parent from the non-custodial parent).
Termination of a child support agreement (i.e., the custodial parent will no longer receive child support payments during the award year).
Casualty losses due to weather (hurricane, tornado, mud slides, ground subsidence and other natural disasters), fire, theft, acts of God, or terrorism.
A parent being called to active duty in the armed forces.
Special needs children.
Alimony payments that are not deductible on the family’s income tax return.
Temporary layoff or furlough of a wage-earner.
Drop in income due to fewer hours (i.e., no overtime) or reduced salary or elimination of bonuses.
Wages included moving expenses.
Bankruptcy or foreclosure.
Elder care expenses (e.g., nursing home fees).
Change in income due to recent retirement.</p>