Federal financial aid is based on a formula created by the U.S. Department of Education to determine a student\u2019s Expected Family Contribution, or EFC. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) uses prior-prior year income information to determine your EFC and eligibility for federal financial aid (grants, loans, work-study).<\/p>\n
After filing the FAFSA, some families realize that their EFC may not adequately reflect the family\u2019s current financial situation due to extenuating circumstances. The federal government allows schools to review a family\u2019s unique circumstances, beyond the student\u2019s\/family\u2019s control, to determine if the situation warrants special consideration.<\/p>\n
At Montclair State University, a committee determines whether your special circumstances merit changes in the data elements that determine your Expected Family Contribution or your Cost of Attendance. Montclair State University uses standards recommended by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.<\/p>\n
These changes in your household can be from:<\/strong><\/p>\n You can complete a Request for Review form to have your financial aid re-evaluated after May 1, 2025.<\/p>\n Please Note:<\/strong><\/p>\n \/drawer]<\/p>\n <\/a> We will not process requests due to bankruptcy, foreclosure, increases in personal expenses (ie: mortgage payments, tuition increases for siblings, car payments), private school tuition expenses, medical insurance premiums, etc. Fluctuations in business income must be outside typical annual changes and must be significant.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n <\/a> Generally, students will submit the following based on who\u2019s income is involved:<\/p>\n In addition<\/strong>, you must<\/strong> submit documentation supporting your unusual circumstance(s) as indicated on page 3 of the Request for Review form<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n <\/a> The Request for Review process does not start until May for the coming year once the new forms are posted to the website. Once your file has been evaluated based on the allowable criteria, your information will be updated with the FAFSA and the State of New Jersey, if appropriate. Students must monitor their NEST<\/a> to view any changes to their requirements and financial aid amounts. Students will be notified via email if the Review does not meet the necessary criteria or if the changes do not result in any increased grant eligibility.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n <\/a> No. Submission of a Request for Review form does not mean you will receive additional aid. In some cases, students will not see a change to the original aid amounts.\u00a0 Sometimes, we are able to obtain subsidized loan funds (no interest while in school) that were not previously offered. You should make arrangements to pay your bill with the aid you are currently being offered. The federal student aid programs are based on the concept that it is primarily your and your family\u2019s responsibility to pay for your education. However, some student situations will require extra discretion in determining the student\u2019s ability to provide parental information on the FAFSA. You have the opportunity to appeal your FAFSA Dependency Status by submitting documentation of your situation.<\/p>\n You must clearly demonstrate an adverse family situation in order to be considered independent for financial aid purposes. Adverse family situations may include:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You Can Begin the Process By:<\/strong><\/p>\n All forms and statements needed to complete this process will be requested and uploaded to montclair.studentforms.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
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\nThe actual processing time depends on how long it takes the family to submit the necessary documents. Once all documents are submitted, the final processing time takes about 2 weeks for results.<\/p>\n
\nIf you are looking at your current aid amount and realize you need additional funding, you may consider a Parent PLUS loan<\/a> and\/or private loan<\/a> options. If you do become eligible for additional aid, you can reduce or cancel your loans later. You can also utilize the Payment Plan<\/a> offered through the Office of Student Accounts.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\nWhat are Unusual Circumstances?<\/h3>\n
What qualifies as an Unusual Circumstance?<\/h3>\n
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