FAFSA special circumstances appeal for head injury treatment costs affecting SAI and aid package

Yes, you can absolutely file a Professional Judgment (PJ) appeal! I work in financial aid and these are specifically designed for situations like yours where your current financial circumstances are significantly different from what's reflected in your FAFSA data. For a medical expense/income reduction appeal, you'll typically need: - Documentation of your workers comp case (claim numbers, correspondence) - Medical bills showing out-of-pocket expenses not covered by insurance - Letters from your healthcare providers explaining necessity of treatments - Documentation showing your current income vs. past income - A detailed personal statement explaining the situation Each school handles these differently, but they have authority to adjust your SAI based on these special circumstances. Focus on documenting the financial impact clearly. I've seen many families get significant adjustments through this process.

My daughter went thru something similar last yr when my husband got laid off. The financial aid office wanted TONS of forms and we had to wait forever to hear back. We got a little more aid but not nearly enough to cover the gap. Start the process ASAP because it takes FOREVER and the school might run out of institutional funds if u wait too long.

Just to add to what others have said - make sure you're extremely specific about the exact financial impact in your appeal. Calculate the total out-of-pocket medical expenses, the reduction in income, and any other financial changes. The more concrete numbers you provide, the better. Also, don't just submit the appeal and wait. Follow up regularly. Financial aid offices are understaffed and appeals can fall through the cracks. Be polite but persistent. If you're not getting responses by phone, try reaching them through claimyr.com. I used their service when I was trying to contact FAFSA about a verification issue last month - they got me through to an actual human at the Federal Student Aid office in minutes instead of waiting on hold forever. They have a video that explains how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ And while you're working on the appeal, have your son contact the admissions office about a possible deferment as a backup plan. Better to have that conversation early rather than waiting until the last minute.

I don't understand why the FAFSA system is so broken!!!! My daughter's SAI was calculated completely wrong because they counted a one-time retirement distribution as regular income. We filed an appeal and it took THREE MONTHS to hear back!!! The whole time she didn't know if she could afford to enroll. The system is DESIGNED to be complicated to discourage people from appealing. And don't get me started on the new FAFSA formula - it's a complete disaster that's hurting families like yours who are already struggling!!

I successfully filed a special circumstances appeal last year based on medical expenses. Here's what worked for me: 1. I organized everything chronologically in a binder with tabs and included a summary sheet at the front listing total expenses by category 2. I submitted proof of ALL medical expenses related to the specific condition, not just the big bills (include prescription costs, medical equipment, travel to specialists, etc) 3. I got a letter from my doctor that specifically stated these treatments were medically necessary and not elective 4. I included bank statements showing the payments coming from our accounts 5. I calculated exactly how much our income had decreased due to missed work My daughter's SAI was reduced from $3100 to $800 after the appeal, which made her eligible for additional grants. The key was being extremely organized with documentation. Don't just dump paperwork on them - make it easy for them to see the financial impact.

my cousin's husband had a work accident too and they got their efc (the old sai) reduced by like half. you def should appeal!! just make sure u keep copies of EVERYTHING cause they lost his paperwork twice lol

have u looked into getting a parent plus loan? thats what my parents did when my fafsa didn't cover everything

Don't forget to have your son apply for private scholarships too!!! There are TONS of scholarships specifically for students whose parents have medical disabilities or hardships. Check with local community foundations, your employer, religious organizations, etc. My daughter got a $3000 scholarship from a local rotary club that specifically helps families dealing with medical crises. The financial aid office should be able to point you toward some resources!!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - dealing with a work injury AND trying to navigate financial aid is incredibly stressful. As someone who's been through a similar situation, I want to encourage you that Professional Judgment appeals really do work when you have legitimate circumstances like yours. A few additional tips based on my experience: 1. When documenting your medical expenses, don't forget to include related costs like mileage to appointments, medical equipment, prescription copays, and any modifications you've had to make to your home due to your injury. 2. Get a letter from your workers comp attorney (if you have one) documenting the disputed claims and timeline - this helps show the financial aid office that the denials aren't due to lack of medical necessity. 3. If your husband is working extra shifts, get documentation from his employer showing the increase in hours/income - this demonstrates your family is already doing everything possible to address the financial shortfall. 4. Contact your son's school's financial aid office directly and ask to speak with someone who handles Professional Judgment appeals. Many schools have specific staff who specialize in these cases and can walk you through their exact requirements. Don't give up! I've seen families get their SAI reduced significantly through these appeals. Your son's education is worth fighting for, and schools want to help students in genuine need stay enrolled.