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 2023-2024 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 2023-2024

  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 2023
  • And the 2023-2024 unemployment status form.

Elementary and Secondary Tuition Costs

If you/your parent(s) paid tuition for private education in 2021, please provide the following:

  • A statement from the school(s) verifying the total paid in calendar year 2021 for each child, excluding the student entering Davenport. 
  • Submit a signed copy of your 2021 federal tax return
  • Submit a signed copy of your parent’s 2021 federal tax return (Dependent students only) 
  • And the 2023-2024 Private Tuition Form.

Number in Household Attending College

If your parent(s) attend or will attend college, please complete the enclosed 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 2020, please provide the following:

  • Submit a signed copy of your 2021 federal tax return.
  • Submit a signed copy of your parent’s 2021 federal tax return (Dependent students only)
  • A signed copy of Schedule A (Itemized Deductions) from the 2021 federal tax returns OR receipts verifying medical/dental expenses PAID in 2021.
  • And the 2023-2024 Medical Expenses Form.

Income Reduction

If you/your parent(s) experienced a change to income in 2022.

INCOME REDUCTION/ CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT:

  • Copies of the last paycheck stubs from all 2023 employment:  Student  /  Spouse  /  Parent(Dependent students only)
  • And the 2023-2024 Income Reduction Forms. 

SEPARATION/DIVORCE/DEATH OF PARENT OR SPOUSE:

  • Please submit supporting documentation (separation/divorce papers, death certificate)
  • 2023-2024 Separation/Divorce Form.
  • Submit a signed copy of your 2021 federal tax return including all schedules and W2’s.
  • Submit a signed copy of your parent's 2021 federal tax return including all schedules and W2’s. (Dependent students only)

RECEIPT OF ONE TIME INCOME IN 2021

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

  • Please submit documentation verifying the nature and amount of this income.
  • 2023-2024 Receipt of One Time Payment Form.
  • Submit a signed copy of your 2021 federal tax return including all schedules and W2’s.
  • Submit a signed copy of your parent’s 2021 federal tax return including all schedules and W2’s. (Dependent students only)