Financial aid special circumstances

We realize the income and assets reported on your FAFSA may not reflect your family’s current financial situation. Federal guidelines offer you and/or your parent(s) the opportunity to report current year financial circumstances that may affect your family’s ability to contribute to your educational costs. Changes in income and assets and circumstances, such as unusual medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance, expenses associated with a parent attending college, or a family member who recently became unemployed may affect your eligibility for financial aid.

Another type of special circumstance that may affect your eligibility for aid includes participation in a study abroad program or taking an unusually heavy credit load at DU. If you encounter either of these situations you may qualify for an increase in your student budget (Cost of Attendance) based upon the program costs and you should also complete a special consideration circumstance form. There is no guarantee a request will result in more aid or different types of aid awarded to you. We will not adjust a student's budget for any reason other than Davenport-related expenses. You may submit a Special Circumstance Form and the required documentation to the:

Davenport Student Financial Services

6191 Kraft Avenue S.E. 

Grand Rapids, MI 49512

Fax # 616.732.1167
financialservices@davenport.edu

The Department of Education requires requests for a Special Circumstance or Unusual Circumstance must be reviewed by the school within 60 days from date of enrollment or date of submission, whichever is later. However, Davenport typically processes these requests in a much quicker manner.  

Need Help?

  • If you have questions about a special circumstance, please contact your financial aid counselor on your campus..
  • If you are looking to complete forms for the 2024-2025 academic year click here. 
  • If you are a dependent student who is seeking to be considered an independent student due to homelessness, abandonment, human trafficking, refugee/asylee status, etc. please click here for additional information. 

Steps for 2024-2025

  1. Review the circumstances below to determine which supporting documentation you will need to submit.
  2. Submit your Special Circumstance statement and supporting documentation to the address, fax listed above or through FA Doc Upload.  

Listed below are reasons for Special Circumstance considerations.  All listed documentation can be opened by the links provided.

Unemployment Special Circumstance

If you, your spouse or a parent (if you are a dependent student) is unemployed, please submit the following documentation dated within 90 days:

  • A copy of the letter recently received from the state unemployment office: or
  • A copy of an unemployment benefits notice or statement: or
  • A copy of the layoff or termination notice
  • A copy of the last or most recent paystub for all places of employment for 2024
  • And the 2024-2025 unemployment status form.

Elementary and Secondary Tuition Costs

If you/your parent(s) paid tuition for private education in 2022, please provide the following:

  • A statement from the school(s) verifying the total paid in calendar year 2022 for each child, excluding the student entering Davenport. 
  • Submit a signed copy of your 2022 federal tax return
  • Submit a signed copy of your parent’s 2022 federal tax return (Dependent students only) 
  • And the 2024-2025 Private Tuition Form.

Unusually High Medical/Dental Expenses Paid

If you/your parent(s) paid excessive medical expenses not covered by insurance or any other source in 2022, please provide the following:

  • Submit a signed copy of your 2022 federal tax return.
  • Submit a signed copy of your parent’s 2022 federal tax return (Dependent students only)
  • A signed copy of Schedule A (Itemized Deductions) from the 2022 federal tax returns OR receipts verifying medical/dental expenses PAID in 2022.
  • And the 2024-2025 Medical Expenses Form.

Income Reduction

If you/your parent(s) experienced a change to income in 2023.

INCOME REDUCTION/ CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • Copies of the last paycheck stubs from all 2024 employment:  Student  /  Spouse  /  Parent(Dependent students only)
  • And the 2024-2025 Income Reduction Forms. 

SEPARATION/DIVORCE/DEATH OF PARENT OR SPOUSE:

  • Please submit supporting documentation (separation/divorce papers, death certificate)
  • 2024-2025 Separation/Divorce Form.
  • Submit a signed copy of your 2022 federal tax return including all schedules and W2’s.
  • Submit a signed copy of your parent's 2022 federal tax return including all schedules and W2’s. (Dependent students only)

RECEIPT OF ONE TIME INCOME IN 2022

(IRA/pension distribution, capital gain, bonus, etc.)

  • Please submit documentation verifying the nature and amount of this income.
  • 2024-2025 Receipt of One Time Payment Form.
  • Submit a signed copy of your 2022 federal tax return including all schedules and W2’s.
  • Submit a signed copy of your parent’s 2022 federal tax return including all schedules and W2’s. (Dependent students only)