Unusual circumstances beyond the family's control or choice, however, may impact a family's financial strength in ways that are not accurately reflected through the federal need-analysis process. In such cases, federal law permits colleges to exercise professional judgment and make adjustments where appropriate.

Circumstances that could warrant reconsideration of your eligibility include:

• Death, divorce or permanent separation of parents
• Student or parent losing job or other source of income
• Family paying child support not deducted on 1040
• Family making payments on educational loans
• Un-reimbursed or nondeductible medical expenses
• Family contributing financial support to family members unable to support themselves, such as parents in nursing home or unemployed adult children
• Family or student receiving a one-time payment or settlement, such as disability or life insurance, which is used to pay debts or create a trust or pension fund
• Dependent student contributes all or most of earnings or savings to basic family maintenance
• Parent is self-employed and/or has significant employment expenses which can only be deducted on Schedule A
• Family maintains two households because of employment changes
• Family pays tax on moving-expense reimbursement
• Family member incurs expenses related to employment that are not reimbursed, but are deductible on Schedule A
• Family paying on business or farm debts and principal payment exceeds the depreciation expense
• Family pays employment-related child care
• Earnings of a parent or student have or will change significantly from the previous year.

If any of these circumstances apply, please contact Student Financial Services.

Please note that consumer debt can seldom be accommodated as an uncontrollable expense.