Financial Aid and Special Circumstances

Do I have a Financial Aid Special Circumstance?d

The Financial Aid Office understands that you may not be able to provide all the information on your financial aid application or some of the information maybe inaccurate based off your current situation. See if you are eligible to qualify for a special circumstance.

Types of Special Circumstances

Has your income changed? Graph going down

 


Contact the Financial Aid Office if there has been a significant change in your or your parent(s) income since the income year you reported on your financial aid application. You may appeal to have your financial aid eligibility re-evaluated. If the Financial Aid Office approves your appeal, corrections will be made that may result in an increase in your Pell Grant award. This option is only beneficial to those who did not qualify for the maximum amount of Pell Grant.

Reasons to apply for an Income Reduction
  • Loss of Employment
  • Job Change
  • Reduction in work hours
  • Discharge from Active Duty
  • Loss of benefits
  • Unexpected medical expenses
  • Parent passing away(if dependent)
  • Retirement/early withdrawal of retirement
  • Divorce
  
We understand that things happen, we are here to help! 
Helpful Hint!
Do not make corrections to your application. Contact us instead.

Students should avoid updating income or asset information to reflect changes to his or her family's financial situation if those changes took place after the FAFSA or Dream Act Application was filed. If you make corrections, it can delay the process. 

If you are unable to provide parent information on your financial aid application due to an extenuating circumstance contact the Financial Aid Office. Explain in detail your situation and reason(s) for not being able to give parental information and provide documentation. Each appeal is considered on a case-by-case basis for students with special circumstances.

If your actual educational expenses are significantly higher than the standard budget used in the Cost of Attendance, you may request a COA Appeal by submitting a Special Circumstance Appeal below. 

Reasons to Apply for an COA Appeal
  • High Housing or Rent
  • Childcare Cost
  • Transportation Cost 
  • Required Supplies or Equipment
  • Disability Expenses
  • Other Educational Related Cost

We understand that unexpected or unique expenses can impact your ability to cover educational costs. A Cost of Attendance (COA) appeal allows our office to review documented, exceptional circumstances that may affect your budget.

Please keep in mind:
  • COA appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis
  • Submission of an appeal does not guarantee approval
  • An approved appeal does not always result in additional grant aid
  • In some cases, adjustments may only increase eligibility for loans or other aid options

To ensure timely and accurate review, we strongly encourage you to submit complete and clear documentation supporting your request. Incomplete submissions may delay processing or impact the outcome of your appeal.

How to request for a Special Circumstance APPEAL 

  • Submit your FAFSA or Dream Act Application
  • Login to MyCerritos
  • Open another tab
    opening another tab on website
  • Go to cerritos.studentforms.com
  • Click on the Manage Request icon to start an appeal
    manage request
    Note:     The Manage Request icon is located on the right hand corner of your screen. 

  • Click on the type of appeal you would like to file 
    Example:
    List of appeal types
    d

  • Continue to fill out the information and upload requested documents by the Financial Aid Office.
  • The Financial Aid Office will reach out to you to go over your situation.

 What happens next?

Once you submit the appeal and provide documentation to the Financial Aid Office, we will evaluate your documentation and situation. If approved, the Financial Aid Office will make the necessary corrections to reflect the change.  If the change results in an increase in your financial aid, awards will be adjusted and funds will be disbursed to you.