Unusual or Special Circumstances
The Financial Aid office understands that various personal and financial circumstances can affect a student's eligibility and need for financial aid. By documenting and reviewing your unique circumstances, our office may be able to adjust your financial information to more accurately reflect your current situation.
Below is what we evaluate:
- Changes in financial circumstances that differ from what was reported on your Tax Return or FAFSA.
- Personal circumstances in the family that would make a dependent student independent.
- Personal circumstances in the family that have caused the student to become Homeless (or at-risk).
Steps to request a review:
- Contact the financial aid office for additional information.
- You must submit the appropriate request form and all supporting documents via Financial Aid as requested.
- A determination if the documentation supports an adjustment will be communicated to the student.
Please note that all requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. While your financial aid is not guaranteed to change, you may inquire and apply. To be considered for review, all circumstances must be appropriately documented and submitted within the timeline you are given, and failure to submit those requirements within the timeline results in a denied request.
August (fall semester) and January (spring semester) are the busiest times for the financial aid office. We cannot assure a quick review before the start of the term. Requests must be submitted and processed within the specified timeline. It is important to note that any request submitted after the last day of the term you are enrolled during the academic year will not be reviewed.
Types of Professional Judgements
Special Circumstances (Income Reductions):
- Refers to justifying adjustments to income, considering financial situations such as (job loss, change income, loss of a parent or spouse, etc.).
- The student or parent can request an income reduction if there is a unique situation with an income decrease for themselves or their household.
Unusual Circumstances (Dependency):
- This refers to the conditions that explain adjusting the student's dependency status based on a unique situation commonly referred to as a dependency override.
- The student can request a dependency to independent status review if there is a unique situation for themselves or their household (parent being abusive, having no parental contact, parental incarceration, homeless youth determination, or at-risk homelessness, etc.).
Circumstances that are not considered a student needing a dependency review:
- The parent refuses to support them financially to support them financially
- Parent refuses to fill out their portion of the FAFSA
- Parents did not include the student as a dependent on their taxes
- A student is living independently or supporting themselves only. (case-by-case basis)
Financial Aid Disclaimer**
- Wallace Community College Selma Financial Aid Office does not partake in Federal Student Loans.
- For payment options other than Federal Pell Grant or scholarships, please contact the cashier’s office:
334-876-9260 or email cashier@wccs.edu.