More information
Central Piedmont’s Financial Aid Office may choose to use professional judgment to reconsider and adjust components of a student’s Cost of Attendance (COA), the data elements that determine a student’s Pell Grant eligibility or Student Aid Index (SAI) to account for a student’s special circumstance(s).
The FAFSA Simplification Act section 479A of the HEA refers to special circumstance as a financial situation (such as loss of a job, etc.) which justifies the financial aid administrator use of reconsideration on a case-by-case basis to adjust data elements in the COA, Pell Grant eligibility determination or Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation. This adjustment is only valid at the school making the change.
Reasons for requesting a reconsideration
The law gives some examples of special circumstances that may be considered (HEA Section 479A). This is not an exhaustive list.
Involuntary change in employment status, income, or assets;
Death of parent or spouse
Divorce or legal separation of parent or student
Change in housing status (e.g., homelessness);
Additional tuition expenses at an elementary or secondary school;
Additional family members enrolled in college;
Medical, dental, or nursing home expenses not covered by insurance;
Child or dependent care expenses;
Loss of earning due to severe disability of the student or other member of the student’s household; and
Other changes or adjustments that impact the student’s costs or ability to pay for college.
Students and families must be prepared to support their claims of special circumstances with appropriate documentation that best reflects their situation more accurately.
Reconsideration appeal process
- Submit the reconsideration request with supporting documentation.
- The Appeal Committee reviews the request in the order it was received.
- The committee’s decision is final.
- Student will be notified via student’s school email account of a decision within 1- 2 weeks.