Special Cases
Most “extenuating circumstances” experienced by our students and their families are covered under the Professional Judgement Application. If your situation does not fall under one of the categories outlined in the Professional Judgement Application, you may be a candidate for the Independent Status Form, Cost of Attendance Appeal, or the Parent Refusal Form.
Please submit only one of these applications.
Professional Judgement
The Department of Education allows Financial Aid administrators to make adjustments to certain very specific elements on student’s FAFSA’s if they have certain unique situations. These situations fall into two categories:
· Special Circumstances: You or your family’s financial situation has changed significantly from what is reflected on the federal income tax data used for your FAFSA, for example:
o Involuntary unemployment of a family member or Independent student
o Involuntary drop in income
o Other circumstances (ex. loss of a parent or spouse, divorce etc.)
· Unusual Circumstances: You have a situation that inhibits you from being able to put your parental information on your FAFSA it may be possible to change your dependency status:
o Parental Abuse
o Abandonment
o Parental Incarceration
o Human Trafficking
If either of these conditions apply to you it may be possible to have your financial aid eligibility adjusted.
Steps to complete the Professional Judgement Appeal application process:
1. Have a current FAFSA on file
2. Meet requirements of a Professional Judgement circumstance
3. Complete the Professional Judgement Form
4. Review attached Professional Judgement Form which lists other documentation necessary for your specific situation. Please do not return this form without including your personal statement and all other supporting documentation
5. Drop off, mail, or email (not recommended due to the personal information on the forms) the Professional Judgement Form with all other documents required to the Levelland Financial Aid Office or any Student Support Office on any other South Plains College Campus
6. Once we receive your completed application and ALL documents requested please allow 2-3 weeks for processing
Independent Status Form
If you answered yes to any of the Dependency questions on the FAFSA, (questions 49-54), you may be eligible to have your Dependency status updated, (i.e., orphan, homeless risk, etc.).
Steps to complete the Independent Status Form process:
1. Have a current FAFSA on file
2. Meet Dependency Requirements (yes to question on FAFSA)
3. Complete the Independent Status Form
4. Review the Independent Status Form for required supporting documentations (i.e., court documents, state exemptions, letters from counselors, etc.)
5. Drop off, mail, or email (not recommended due to the personal information on the forms) the Independent Status Form with all other documents required to the Levelland Financial Aid Office or any Student Support Office on any other South Plains College Campus
6. Once we receive your completed application and ALL documents requested please allow 2-3 weeks for processing
Cost of Attendance Appeal (COA)
The Cost of Attendance (COA) represents the average expenses paid by South Plains College students in various circumstances. The COA helps determine your financial aid offer.
If you or your family's financial situation has changed significantly from what is reflected on the federal income tax return used on your FAFSA for example:
- Childcare expenses
- Disability expenses (that do not qualify for Professional Judgment appeal)
- Unforeseen financial hardship not reflected in COA (that do not qualify for Professional Judgment appeal)
- Changes or updates of housing plans - Your housing budget is initially determined by what you put on the FAFSA
- Other (i.e., household budget insecurities)
You may be eligible to have your financial aid eligibility or cost of attendance adjusted.
Steps to complete COA Appeal application process
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Have a current FAFSA on file
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Meet requirements under significant change in financial situation
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Complete the COA Appeal
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Review the attached COA Appeal Form which lists other documentation necessary for your specific situation. Please do not return this form without all completed and signed paperwork
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Drop off, mail, or email (not recommended due to the personal information on the forms) the COA Appeal Form with all the required documents to the Levelland Financial Aid Office or any Student Support Office on any other campus
-
Once we receive your application, please allow 2-3 weeks for processing
Dependent Students Without Parent Support
If your parents are unwilling to provide their information, but you, the student, don’t have an unusual circumstance that prevents you from contacting your parents or obtaining their information, you may be eligible to apply for a Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan only.
Steps to complete the Parent Refusal Form Process
1. Have a current FAFSA on file
2. Complete the Parent Refusal Form
3. Review the form and speak with Financial Aid Advisor to ensure that this is the only viable option available to you
4. Drop off, mail, or email (not recommended due to the personal information on the forms) the Parent Refusal Form with all other documents required to the Levelland Financial Aid Office or any Student Support Office on any other South Plains College Campus
5. Once we receive your completed application and ALL documents requested, please allow 2-3 weeks for processing
***NOTE***
Submitting any of the applications above does not guarantee an adjustment in your financial aid awards or eligibility. You will be notified through email, once your application has been reviewed. The school's decision is final and cannot be appealed to the U.S. Department of Education.
If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our office for assistance.
Phone: 806.716.2100 email: finaid@southplainscollege.edu or in office at Levelland, Lubbock, or Plainview
