I was told by the financial aid office that we may qualify for a grant if we refile special circumstances for medical expenses. Anyone know the time frame for the medical expenses? Is it always the year of the taxes filed for FAFSA or is it the current calendar year, last 365 days? I have emailed financial aid to ask, but waiting on a response. Thanks!
There is no single answer. It will depend on the school and the circumstances.
It can be both. Ongoing and current unreimbursed medical expenses are something some colleges will consider as a special circumstance.
If you had a lot of medical expenses in 2016 (the tax year used for the 2018-2019 academic year for financial aid): it is possible that the school will consider that and your family contribution for this school year will be adjusted.
If you have medical expenses now that are now reducing your available income to pay college expenses, that also might be considered…because your current financial situation is different than 2016.
The biggest question I would ask is…what happens in subsequent years if the medical expenses go away. What will happen? And will this school still be affordable.
He’s in his 2nd year at the school. We manage - especially with him working a summer job to contribute significantly, his student loans, and work study during the year. He is also on academic scholarships. However, my husband had major surgery last month which combined with some other medical procedures and mandatory high deductible insurance just makes things very tight. Obviously those bills have to get paid so having to shuffle. Without the medical expenses then we can pay the difference.
Well…give the school whatever information they want you to provide regarding the medical expenses you are incurring now. You will need to provide them documentation of what was NOT covered by insurance.
Good luck…just give them what they ask for…and hope for the best.
Thanks. I appreciate the feedback! I’ll see what the school comes back with. I spoke to them before the surgery and they told me how much our out of pocket would need to be to qualify him. We are close or over that number just depending on what the time range is. Since I pay all my medical bills using my HSA account and keep a careful log I can provide very clear details (along with EOB, etc). I just wasn’t sure since some of it was billed in one year and paid out on payments into the next year. Some of it is still outstanding as I’m making payments on it, etc.
Pull the special circumstances forms for the school and it should detail what you need. Some have a budget before and after the event. I think what is most important is the situation now (or for the time period you are asking for relief) and probably not the taxes from 2 years ago. The special circumstances seem to focus more on what’s different from the information used on the FAFSA.
If your income remained the same but you have higher monthly medical bills, or a one time $5000 deductible, focus on those costs. If the medical issues caused a loss in income, show how the budget now has to stretch to meet basic needs and the additional medical.
There is a built-in allowance for medical in the EFC formula, and the school can only consider expenses over & above that amount. Just give them whatever they need & the aid office will determine if it makes any difference for your aid.
Thanks everyone. We were able to provide the appropriate information and adjustments were made for this school year. Appreciate the advice.