Professional Judgment

Your Student Aid Index (SAI) is calculated using income and information from your FAFSA. However, that information may not reflect your current financial situation.

If your income or household circumstances have changed, you may request an SAI Appeal (Special Circumstances Review).

When Should I Submit an SAI Appeal?

You should apply if your financial situation is significantly different from what was reported on your FAFSA.

Common examples include:

• Loss or reduction of income (student, parent, or spouse)
• Job loss, reduced hours, or change in employment
• Loss of untaxed income or benefits (e.g., child support, unemployment)
• Divorce or separation
• Death of a parent or spouse
• Disability affecting income
• High out-of-pocket medical or dental expenses
• Lump sum income reported in the FAFSA year that no longer applies

What Does an SAI Appeal Do?

An SAI Appeal allows us to:

• Review your current financial situation
• Update FAFSA data elements when appropriate
• Recalculate your Student Aid Index (SAI)

This may result in:

• A lower SAI
• Changes to your financial aid eligibility

What is Required for Submission?

To request an SAI Appeal, you must provide:

1. Personal Statement

A clear explanation of:

• What changed
• When the change occurred
• How it impacts your (or your family’s) income

2. Income Documentation

Depending on your situation, this may include:

• Recent pay stubs
• Employer statements (loss of job, reduced hours, etc.)
• Unemployment benefits statements
• 2022 tax return or IRS tax transcript (if not already submitted)
• W-2 forms
• Current monthly income breakdown (gross income)

3. Additional Documentation (if applicable)

• Medical bills or insurance statements
• Divorce or separation documents
• Death certificate
• Proof of loss of benefits
• Statement explaining how you are supporting yourself (if no income)

Example Situations

• Your parent lost their job in 2025 and household income is now much lower
• You or your parent had a significant reduction in work hours
• Your family no longer receives child support or other benefits
• You had high medical expenses not covered by insurance

What Happens After You Apply?

• We review your request once all documents are submitted
• We may request additional information
• If approved, we will update your financial aid application data and recalculate your SAI
• You will be notified through your Stan State email
• Your financial aid offer may be revised

Important to Know

• Appeals are reviewed case-by-case
• Documentation is required
• Submitting an appeal does not guarantee a change in aid
• Changes must reflect current and ongoing financial circumstances
• Decisions apply only to Stanislaus State

To request an SAI – Special Circumstance appeal, click the link below, log in to your FA Online Forms Portal, select Manage Requests, and choose the appropriate appeal.

FA Online Forms

Your Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of what it costs to attend Stanislaus State, including things like housing, food, transportation, and personal expenses.

If you have additional education-related expenses not already included, you may request a COA Appeal to have your budget reviewed.

When Should I Submit a COA Appeal?

You should consider a COA Appeal if you have unexpected or higher-than-average costs related to your education, such as:

• Required computer or technology purchases (laptop, software, etc.)
• Unexpected medical or dental expenses
• Increased childcare or dependent care costs
• Auto repairs or transportation costs needed to attend school
• Required travel expenses related to your enrollment
• Program-specific costs (supplies, equipment, licensing fees)

What a COA Appeal Can (and Cannot) Do

What is Required for Submission?

To request a COA Appeal, you must provide:

• A written explanation of your expenses
• Itemized costs (what you paid or expect to pay)
• Supporting documentation, such as:
  • Receipts
  • Bills or invoices
  • Statements (medical, childcare, etc.)
  • Proof of purchase for required equipment

Examples

• You had to purchase a laptop required for your major
• Your childcare costs increased during the academic year
• You had unexpected medical expenses not covered by insurance
• Your car required repairs so you could continue commuting to campus

To request a Cost of Attendance (COA) appeal, click the link below, log in to your FA Online Forms Portal, select Manage Requests, and choose the appropriate appeal.

FA Online Forms

If you are unable to provide parent information on your FAFSA due to serious personal or family situations, you may request an Unusual Circumstance Dependency Override.

This allows a financial aid advisor to review whether you can be considered an independent student for financial aid purposes.

What is an Unusual Circumstance?

A Dependency Override is a case-by-case review where the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office may determine that you should be treated as an independent student due to unusual circumstances.

If approved:

• You will not be required to provide parent information on your FAFSA
• Your financial aid eligibility will be based on your own income and assets only

Who Should Apply?

You should apply if you have experienced serious circumstances beyond your control that prevent you from obtaining parent information.

Examples include:

• Parental abandonment or estrangement (no contact or relationship)
• Abuse or unsafe home environment (physical, emotional, or other)
• Parent incarceration
• Substance abuse or mental incapacity in the household
• Human trafficking or refugee/asylee status
• Other extreme or documented family situations

Situations That Do NOT Qualify (by federal law)

The following alone do not qualify for a dependency override:

• Parents refuse to help pay for college
• Parents will not provide FAFSA information
• Parents do not claim you on their taxes
• You live on your own or are financially independent

What You’ll Need to Submit

To request an Unusual Circumstance Dependency Override, you must provide:

• A personal statement explaining your situation in detail
• Third-party documentation (required), such as:
  • Counselor or school official
  • Social worker or case manager
  • Therapist, clergy member, or legal professional
• Any supporting documents, if available (court records, police reports, etc.)

You may also be required to:

• Meet with a financial aid advisor
• Provide additional documentation if requested

How the Review Works

• Each request is reviewed individually and confidentially
• We evaluate your documentation based on federal guidelines
• Determinations are made year-by-year
• If approved, your FAFSA will be updated to reflect independent status

Provisionally Independent Students (FAFSA Update)

If you indicated unusual circumstances on your FAFSA but did not provide parent information, you may be considered provisionally independent.

This means:

• You may receive estimated aid eligibility
• You must still submit documentation to complete the review
• Final aid cannot be determined until your case is resolved

What Happens After You Apply?

• We review your request once all documents are submitted
• We may contact you for more information
• You’ll receive a decision through your Stan State email
• If approved, your financial aid will be updated

Important to Know

• Approval is not guaranteed
• Documentation is required for all requests
• Decisions are based on federal regulations
• Determinations apply only to Stanislaus State

To request an Unusual Circumstances (Dependency Override) appeal, click the link below, log in to your FA Online Forms Portal, select Manage Requests, and choose the appropriate appeal.

FA Online Forms

Looking for more information about Professional Judgment, special circumstances, or financial aid? The resources below from Federal Student Aid (FSA) can help you better understand your options.

Federal Student Aid Resources

• Federal Student Aid (FSA) Website
  Learn about federal financial aid programs, eligibility, and the FAFSA.
• FAFSA Help Center
  Get answers to common questions about completing and updating your FAFSA.
• Dependency Status Information
  Understand who is considered a dependent or independent student.
• What If My Financial Situation Has Changed?
  Learn how schools can review special circumstances and adjust aid.
• Unusual Circumstances & Dependency Overrides
  Information about situations where you may not need to provide parent information.

Campus Financial Hardship Resources

Here are additional resources to make you aware of that can help support you during your time at Stanislaus State.

• Stan State Basic Needs
• Student Parent Resource Hub

Still Need Help?

If you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies, contact the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office. We’re here to support you and guide you through the process.