Change of Circumstance
Options for FAFSA filers experiencing special and/or unusual circumstances
Special and/or unusual circumstances may occur when your current financial or dependency situation is no longer accurately reflected on your FAFSA application.
Special Circumstances
If you or your family’s financial situation has changed from what is reflected on your federal income tax return or your current FAFSA, you may be eligible to have your financial aid adjusted.
Examples of financial changes that may be impacting you, your spouse, or your parent(s) include, but are not limited to:
Substantial change in income
Loss of a job
Reduction in work hours
Separation or divorce
Unusual Circumstances
If you are experiencing a unique situation impacting your financial aid dependency status, you may be eligible for consideration of a dependency override.
Examples of unique situations include, but are not limited to:
Parental abusive (physically and/or mentally) family environment
Parental abandonment
Parents cannot be located/no contact with any parent
Parental incarceration
Contact Buckeye Link at
help.osu.edu or (614) 292-0300 to discuss how your current circumstances have changed.