At HCU, we understand that a family’s financial circumstances can change and that the information reported on the FAFSA may not always reflect a student or family’s current financial situation. Federal regulations allow the Financial Aid Office to review certain documented circumstances on a case-by-case basis through the Professional Judgment process.

Depending on the circumstances, a review may result in an adjustment to FAFSA information, a student’s Cost of Attendance, or dependency status. Submitting a request does not guarantee an adjustment or an increase in financial aid.

Special Circumstances

Special circumstances generally involve financial situations that may not be accurately reflected on the FAFSA. Examples that may be considered include:

  • Loss of employment
  • Significant or permanent reduction in income
  • Significant unreimbursed medical or dental expenses
  • Death or disability of a parent, spouse, or other wage earner
  • Separation or divorce that affects the financial information reported on the FAFSA
  • One-time or unusual taxable income that does not reflect the family’s current financial situation
  • Other significant changes in financial circumstances

Circumstances Generally Not Considered

Professional Judgment is not intended to address routine household or discretionary expenses. Examples generally not considered include:

  • Vacation expenses
  • Credit card expenses
  • Standard living expenses
  • Routine mortgage or rent payments
  • Car payments
  • Personal debt
  • Other discretionary expenses

Cost of Attendance Adjustments

Students may also request a review of certain documented education-related expenses that are not adequately reflected in their standard Cost of Attendance.

Approval of a Cost of Attendance adjustment does not provide additional funding by itself. An adjustment may increase the amount of financial aid a student is eligible to receive, subject to federal, state, institutional, and other program requirements and available funding.
Unusual Circumstances

Unusual circumstances generally refer to situations that may prevent a dependent student from obtaining parental information or having contact with a parent. These circumstances are reviewed separately to determine whether a dependency override may be appropriate.

Examples may include, but are not limited to:

  • Abandonment or estrangement from parents
  • Abuse or an unsafe family environment
  • Human trafficking
  • Incarceration of a parent
  • Other circumstances in which contact with a parent is not possible or may pose a risk to the student

A student is not considered independent solely because the student supports themselves, lives separately from their parents, or because a parent refuses to provide FAFSA information or financial support.

Students who are unaccompanied and homeless, at risk of homelessness, or who have questions regarding foster care or other FAFSA independent-student criteria should contact the Financial Aid Office for assistance. Additional documentation or review may be required.

Request and Review Process

  1. Complete the Special Circumstance Appeal Form.
  2. You will receive an email with instructions for submitting the required supporting documentation through HCU Student Forms.
  3. The Financial Aid Office will review your request and supporting documentation.
  4. Once the review is complete, you will be notified of the decision through your HCU email and/or HCU Student Forms.

Each request is reviewed individually based on the circumstances and documentation provided. Additional documentation may be requested when necessary to complete the review.

An approved request does not guarantee additional financial aid. Depending on the type of request, the Financial Aid Office may adjust FAFSA information, Cost of Attendance, or dependency status. Any resulting financial aid eligibility is subject to federal, state, and institutional regulations, program eligibility requirements, and the availability of funds.