Office of Financial Aid

Has Your Financial Circumstance Changed?

Home › Admission & Aid › Financial Aid › Have Your Financial Circumstances Changed?

At Antioch, we understand that there may be circumstances that affect your ability to pay for college. These changes may not be included in your initial financial aid information. Section 479A of the HEA gives an institution’s Financial Aid Administrator the authority to use professional judgment to adjust, on a case-by-case basis, the cost of attendance or the values of the items used in calculating the Expected Family Contribution to reflect a student’s special circumstances.

Main Categories of Special Circumstances

Changes in Income

  • Recent unemployment of a family member or an independent student;
  • A student or family member who is a dislocated worker (as defined in section 101 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998);
  • The number of parents enrolled at least half time in a degree, certificate, or other program leading to a recognized educational credential at an institution with a program participation agreement under section 487;
  • A change in housing status that results in an individual being homeless (as defined in section 103 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act); or
  • Other changes in a family’s income, a family’s assets, or a student’s status

Dependency Overrides

Undergraduate students who submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and do not meet the federal definition of an independent student may request a dependency override if the student can document other unusual circumstances that might warrant the treatment of the student as independent for purposes of establishing eligibility for federal and state need-based financial aid.  Please note that the following circumstances that will not be considered unusual:

  • Parents refuse to contribute to the student’s education
  • Parents will not provide information for the FAFSA or verification
  • Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes
  • Students demonstrate total self-sufficiency

Unexpected Costs

  • Special circumstances may include:
  • Tuition expenses at an elementary or secondary school;
  • Medical, dental, or nursing home expenses not covered by insurance;
  • Unusually high child care or dependent care costs;
  • Recent unemployment of a family member or an independent student

How to Apply/Document Submission

To apply for an appeal please fill out the digital form to the best of your ability and include supporting documentation. If you have any questions please contact the financial aid office at [email protected].

Processing Timeline

The estimated time frame to review and process an appeal is within 7-10 business days of receiving your last required document. Once your appeal is submitted you will receive a confirmation email. If additional information is required you will be sent an email outlining the required information. All email communication is sent to your Antioch email address.

Appeal requests must be submitted at least one month prior to the financial aid year ending.