马塞诸斯州大学波士顿

金融援助 Services is aware that there are extenuating circumstances that a student or family may experience that can affect the information used to calculate the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC), increase the student’s st和ard ‘cost of attendance,' change their dependency status, or interfere with the student’s ability to maintain satisfactory academic progress towards their degree requirements.

Appeal options are available for 学生 to request consideration of their special circumstance. Adequate supporting documentation is required for appeal consideration. Students may reach out to their financial aid counselor to discuss their circumstances.

1. Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Recalculation
2. 出勤费用
3. Dependency Override
4. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Recalculation

An EFC Recalculation appeal may be requested based on a 实质性的 decrease to the student or family’s base year income reported on the FAFSA.  Special circumstances could include:

• Decrease or loss of income
• Death of parent or spouse
• Divorce or separation
• Excessive medical/dental expenses
• Private High School tuition paid

Students may initiate an EFC Recalculation appeal based on a 实质性的 change of income by submitting the Special Circumstances Appeal Request Form 考虑.

出勤费用 (COA)

A 出勤费用 appeal may be requested when the student or family has incurred 和 paid for additional expenses beyond the student’s st和ard allowances for tuition 和 fees, 食宿, books 和 supplies, 运输, 和 personal expenses.

Expenses must be educationally related 和 may include:

• Child/Dependent care expenses
• Books/Supplies (including computer purchases)
• 交通运输(我.e. 保险，通行证)
• 住房 expenses beyond st和ard room allowance

请注意 a successful COA appeal will not result in consideration for grant or scholarship funds. An increase to a student’s cost of attendance may allow a student/family to apply for additional financing to cover their additional costs.

Refer to information on financing options for 本科 和 研究生 学生.

Students may initiate a 出勤费用 appeal by submitting the Special Circumstances Appeal Request Form 考虑. 

Dependency Override

A Dependency Override may be considered for a student who is required to report parental information on their FAFSA application but, due to extenuating circumstances, the student does not 和 cannot have contact with their parent(s). 

Examples of circumstances that do NOT qualify for dependency override consideration include:

• Student does not live with parents
• Student is financially self-sufficient
• 父母 refuse to contribute to educational cost
• 父母 are unwilling to provide information on FAFSA
• 父母 do not claim student on taxes
• 父母 live in another country

Students requesting consideration to override their dependency status will be asked to provide documentation from a professional third party (i.e. 辅导员, 医生, 牧师, Teacher or Social worker) on business letterhead to support their appeal request.

Examples of circumstances that may allow for dependency override consideration include:

• Irreparable breakdown in the student's relationship with their parent(s) due to abuse/neglect
• 父母 are incarcerated
• Student is supported by an agency (i.e., child protective services) for reasons other than personal choice
• Custodial parent is deceased 和 the student has no contact or support from the non-custodial parent
• 父母 permanently reside in a country with which the U.S. does not maintain normal diplomatic relations

Students may initiate a Dependency Override appeal by submitting the Special Circumstances Appeal Request Form 考虑.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

金融援助 Services evaluates Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward degree requirements for financial aid applicants. Students who do not meet the minimum SAP requirements are not eligible to receive financial aid. Financial aid applicants not meeting SAP st和ards will be sent notification by mail or email. 本科 和 研究生 学生 have the right to appeal their ineligibility for financial aid when extenuating circumstances exist.