You may be eligible to have your current financial aid adjusted. As part of Missouri State’s commitment to making higher education more attainable, the Special Circumstance process allows a financial aid office to adjust a student’s FAFSA based on their current financial situation. Only the financial aid office may adjust the FAFSA with documented changes.

We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many students, whether that be due to a job change, additional expenses, or other loss of income. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which currently uses 2019 income, may not be accurate because of these changes. If you or your family had an income change in 2020 or 2021, even if not related to COVID-19, please consider applying for a process called Special Circumstances.

A quick application is needed and can be found at missouristate.edu/FinancialAid/specialcircumstance

Who should submit a special circumstance:

• Students whose family experienced an income drop after 2019
• Students whose parents have lost child support payments after 2019
• Students whose family have had high medical costs in 2020
• Students who have lost a parent in after 2019

Who should not submit a special circumstance

• Students whose Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is already $0
• Students who are not eligible for federal financial aid (international students, not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress, etc.)
• Graduate students

Once your complete application is received it will be reviewed by a committee. The committee will decide if your request can be granted. The committee will only approve your request if it will benefit you. This process can take up to 6 weeks.

Review our Special Circumstance Guidelines before applying. If you are not sure whether a special circumstance would benefit you, schedule a meeting with one of our counselors to discuss your options.

The Office of Student Financial Aid
Carrington Hall 101
417-836-5262
FinancialAid@missouristate.edu