Special Circumstances – Contribution Review

If there has been a change in the student’s or a dependent student’s family financial circumstances or may have unusual educational expenses not accurately reflected at the time they filled out the FAFSA, a student may request Professional Judgement based on special circumstances. Financial Aid will review your file for consideration of special circumstances, or a Contribution Review.

 

Special Circumstances That May Qualify:

  • Some examples include, but are not limited to:
  • Change in income or job loss
  • Financial Hardship
  • Unusual family medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance
  • Tuition cost for elementary/secondary school for student's siblings or dependents
  • Extraordinary dependent care expenses
  • Decrease or loss of child support
  • Divorce of a dependent student’s parent or of an independent student
  • Death of a dependent student’s parent or of an independent student’s spouse.
  • Computer purchase or substantial transportation costs for college.
  • Other changes or unusual situations.

 

 Circumstances that Do Not Qualify:

  • Job loss due to cause or personal choice
  • Standard living expenses (i.e., utilities, car payments)
  • Mortgage payments
  • Personal debt
  • Bankruptcy
  • Expenses that are already included in the Cost of Attendance (COA)
  • Non-education expenses such as expenses related to vacations or extracurricular activities
  • Student’s claim of being financially independent
  • Parent’s refusal to provide financial support

 

 

Documentation

Documentation is critical to the process of Professional Judgement for Special Circumstances; the financial aid office is required to collect supporting documentation adequate to substantiate the student’s request for a Contribution Review. Documentation may include (but is not limited to) the following:

  • Contribution Review Form – Select the category that most closely relates to your Special Circumstance
  • Provide Letter of Explanation detailing the circumstance indicated in the Contribution Review Form. Provide specific dates and why the income changes occurred.
  • Supply documentation/information as noted in the Contribution Review Categories on the Contribution Review Form.

 

Process

The Contribution Review allows students to document special circumstances not reflected on the FAFSA. For this process, the student will submit all required documentation for consideration.  The Financial Aid Advisor will determine if adjustments to the student aid index (SAI) or cost of attendance (COA) are warranted due to special circumstances.

Approval of the circumstances may lower the Student Aid Index (SAI), which may allow for additional need-based aid. If verification has not yet been completed, verification of your 2022 tax information with tax documentation and W-2’s must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office before submitting your request for a contribution review.

 

Timing of Determinations

NMSU financial aid and scholarships office will review all requests as quickly as practicable. Most request will be processed within 7 to 10 business days, please allow additional time for processing during peak times.

 

Requirement to Identify and Resolve Discrepant Information

If any conflicting information exists, NMSU financial aid administration is obligated to resolve the discrepancy before any Professional Judgement determinations can be made and before any Title IV funds can be disbursed.

 

2024-2025 Forms

Main Campus Form DACC Form Alamogordo Form Grants Form