Are you a “victim of soicumstance?”

We understand that your 2017-2018 FAFSA – which uses 2015 income – may not reflect what’s really going on financially. You have the chance to tell us what your current financial situation is with the Application for Special Circumstance Consideration. Here’s the skinny:

1. The deadline to submit the application is March 31, 2018
2. A new application must be submitted for 2017-2018, even if you applied in 2016-2017 and your circumstances have not changed
3. You can apply for multiple circumstances listed on the form
4. There are two versions: one for Dependent students (if you had to put your parents on your FAFSA, you are a dependent student), and one for Independent students (without parents on their FAFSA)
5. This application is used to adjust federal and state need-based aid. It is not used to adjust institutional scholarships
6. If your application is approved, any changes can be applied to both your Fall 2017 and Spring 2018 financial aid as long as you are enrolled for both semesters
7. If your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is already zero, your application will not be considered

What’s new in 2017-2018?

1. Simple, easy-to-read list of required documents for each category
2. Changes in 2016 or 2017 wages or employment no longer have to be involuntary
3. In some cases, debt cancellation and one-time incomes will be considered
4. Expenses for a sibling in private school or a parent in college will be reviewed if paid during the 2016 calendar year (January to December), not academic year as before

Questions? Let us know. FinancialAid@MissouriState.edu, or (417) 836-5262.

~OSFA