Special Circumstances of FAFSA Data Due to COVID-19

Attention Financial Aid Applicants:

If you or your family’s financial situation has changed significantly from what is reflected on your FAFSA and/or federal income tax return due to extenuating circumstances, especially due to the coronavirus pandemic (i.e., loss of a job by parents or the student for a FAFSA dependent student, or loss of a job by a student or spouse for a FAFSA independent student, or otherwise experienced a substantial drop in income due to a similar or different extenuating circumstance), you may be eligible to have your financial aid adjusted by the financial aid office with a special circumstances appeal. These adjustments typically reduce your EFC (expected family contribution), which may qualify you for more financial aid.

If your official FAFSA EFC (if selected & completed verification) is a zero (0), you are receiving the maximum financial aid possible and an appeal will not help your situation.

Students with an EFC higher than zero (0) may submit an appeal by completing the following:

• Must be currently enrolled or planning to enroll in the term(s) appealing for
• Submit or have a submitted FAFSA with UH West Oʻahu for the corresponding/requested aid year
• Complete a Special Circumstances Appeal Form with proper documentation 
  o Please explain your current financial situation
  o Attach required documentation (listed on appeal form)

*Please be aware that funding is not guaranteed depending on your circumstances. Depending on when your appeal is submitted, your appeal may not be reviewed before the applicable payment deadline for the term. Submission of this appeal does not excuse or extend any upcoming payment deadlines.