So the FAFSA’s over, now what?
FEBRUARY—Special Conditions
So the FAFSA’s over, now what?
I can almost hear the proverbial sigh of relief coming from the masses of parents who were able to complete their free application for federal student aid by the February 1st deadline. In the Financial Aid Office here at GU we answered hundreds of questions, attended several FAFSA nights at the local high schools, and even helped coordinate some collaborative events with the other local colleges in the area to be sure that everyone’s questions were answered as they checked this off the list of “to dos” before college. Our hope is that you found it less daunting than it was hyped up to be.
However, as soon as the sigh of relief reaches completion, the natural anxiety builds again and within days the phones start to ring with eager parents wanting to know if we have that vital piece of the puzzle ready to send their son or daughter known as a financial aid package. To end the mystery, you will not receive a financial aid package from Gonzaga before late March or possibly early April. Are we trying to build suspense for that long? No, our goal is to work quickly and accurately to ensure that you get the best possible package we can offer.
In the meantime, you may be wondering if it would be helpful for you to call the Financial Aid Office and explain some of the numbers that you put on the FAFSA. We welcome any explanation that you have to offer, however when it comes to altering financial aid packages, we’re only able to consider the following special circumstances:
-Loss of wages or benefits of the student’s parent or spouse
-Divorce or separation
-Medical/dental expenses not covered by insurance that exceeds 7.5% of adjusted gross income
-Loss of child support
-Parent attending college and enrolled in an approved degree-seeking program of study
-National or natural disaster
-Death of parent or spouse
-K-12 private school tuition costs
-Support paid to extended family members
If you happen to have a scenario that falls in to one of these categories, simply visit: www.Gonzaga.edu/FinancialAid and go to the Unusual Financial Circumstances page of our site. Here you will find a form that can be sent to the Financial Aid Office where we will process the included numbers and touch base with you regarding any changes. You may also refer to the document that is linked to the Special Conditions Appeal form here:
However, you may notice that some common financial issues are not included. Things such as inability to liquidate assets, mortgage payments, property taxes, consumer debt, credit card debt, and car loans, are not able to be appealed. Our ability to help families in these scenarios is very, very slim.
The best advice we’re able to give families is to wait until the spring to evaluate the initial financial aid package that will be awarded to your son or daughter. After this has happened, and if you continue to have questions, then contact the financial aid office with further questions. We’re always happy to take your calls but once that package has been received we may be able to help you even more. Good luck in your decisions and please contact the Financial Aid Office if you have any further questions.