Assisting Students with Special Circumstances

1. Assisting Students with Special Circumstances Changing Lives One Student at a Time

2. Intentions • Defining Special Circumstances • Dependency Overrides • Unaccompanied Homeless Youth • New York State regulations • Income and Expense Changes • Questions

3. Definition of Special Circumstances • Special circumstances may exist when the information on the FAFSA does not represent the family’s ability to contribute • When special circumstances exist financial aid administrators have the authority to use professional judgment on a case by case basis

4. Review ofFederal Dependency Questions • Born before January 1, 1990 • Married • Master’s or doctorate program • Active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?

5. Review ofFederal Dependency Questions • Children supported by student between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014? • Other Dependents who live with supported by student, now and through June 30, 2014? • At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court?

6. Review ofFederal Dependency Questions • Emancipated minor? • Is or was std in legal guardianship? • At any time on or after July 1, 2012, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?

7. Review ofFederal Dependency Questions • On or after July 1, 2012, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that std was an unaccompanied youth who was homeless? • On or after July 1, 2012, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that std was an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

8. Undocumented Students May need to refer undocumented students to an attorney familiar with immigration law and regulations about the feasibility of student obtaining permanent status in the U.S.

9. Undocumented Students • Student and/or Parent Status • In-state Tuition • Aid from Colleges and Universities • Aid from Private Sources

10. The Dependent Student’s “Family” • The Student • The Parents • If parents not married to each other, which parent did student live with most in past 12 months; if equal who provided most support in past 12 months, or during the most recent year that you actually received support from a parent

11. The Dependent Student’s “Family” • If parents are not married, who is that “FAFSA” parent married to? • Who else does parent/stepparent provide more than half support between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014 • Other people who now live with parents and parents provide more than half support and will continue July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014

12. Completing the FAFSA with Special Circumstances The colleges use the FAFSA information as a baseline to determine financial need The financial aid administrator will review the student’s documentation for either a dependency override or determination of unaccompanied homeless youth

13. Dependency Override • Under very limited circumstances, schools may consider using Professional Judgment if unable to provide parental information. Ex. parents are incarcerated; left home due to an abusive family environment • Documentation will be required and determination is at the discretion of the Financial Aid Administrator

14. Unaccompanied Homeless Youth • College Cost Reduction and Access Act • Independent student status on the FAFSA for unaccompanied homeless youth and self-supporting youth at risk of homelessness • Can apply for aid without parental signature or consideration of parental income

15. Unaccompanied Homeless Youth • Must be determined by: • Local liaison (graduating seniors) • Runaway and Homeless Youth Act funded shelter director or designee (received services) • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funded shelter director or designee (received services) • College Financial Aid Administrator

16. Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Children or youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence

17. Unaccompanied Homeless Youth 2-step process 1-Does the student’s living arrangement meet the McKinney-Vento Act’s definition of homeless? 2-Unaccompanied = “not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian”; in practical terms, this means the youth does not live with the parent or guardian

18. Unaccompanied Homeless Youth • Documentation will be required and determination is at the discretion of the Financial Aid Administrator

19. NYS Special Circumstances Students below the age of 22, as of June 30th of the academic year they are applying, will be considered dependent on their parents unless they meet the special conditions for financial independence. To qualify as an independent student under the age of 22, the student must meet all of the basic conditions of eligibility PLUS one of five special conditions. Acceptable documentation must be submitted as proof.

20. NYS Special Circumstances Condition #1: Std is a ward of the court (not including status as an inmate) Documentation: Copy of a court order determining std ward of the court or appointing a guardian other than parents

21. NYS Special Circumstances Condition #2: Receiving public assistance under std’s own budget Documentation: Budget statement or other documentation from social service official showing receipt of public assistance other than food stamps, unemployment insurance, or Social Security benefits. Housing Assistance /Budget Letter must be in students name

22. NYS Special Circumstances Condition #3: Involuntary dissolution of family resulting in relinquishment of parents’ responsibility and control. Documentation: Sworn and signed statement from a person other than student/parents (such as a member of the clergy, a social worker, a legal aid representative, or an official at the facility or institution which has accepted responsibility for your control or care) relating to your family circumstances.

23. NYS Special Circumstances Condition #4: Veteran and has been honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces. Documentation: Copy of DD214 showing an honorable discharge, or other official documentation from the Veterans’ Administration or branch of the service.

24. NYS Special Circumstances Condition#5: Parents are deceased, have been certified as having a total and permanent disability, or have been declared incompetent by judicial action. Documentation: Copies of death certificates, medical certification, and court orders. NOTE: Documentation for both parents is required

25. Changes in Income/UnusualExpenses Back to Federal Aid and Professional Judgment • Special circumstances may exist when the information on the FAFSA does not represent the family’s ability to contribute • When special circumstances exist financial aid administrators have the authority to use professional judgment on a case by case basis

26. Completing the FAFSA with Special Circumstances The family should complete the FAFSA The colleges use the FAFSA information as a baseline to determine financial need The financial aid administrator will make adjustments to the FAFSA information based on the special circumstances when appropriate

27. Income Adjustments Example Death, disability or serious illness of a wage-earner Roth IRA rollovers Death of a custodial parent and std has not had any contact with non-custodial parent for many years Recent divorce of the student’s parents Custodial parent remarries after application date Recent unemployment of a family member

28. Expense Adjustment Examples Tuition expenses at an elementary or secondary school Medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance Additional costs incurred as a result of a student’s disability

29. Cathy Michaels Director, Financial Aid York College – CUNY (718)262-2230 finaid@york.cuny.edu

30. Questions