Special Circumstances

If you or your family experienced a recent hardship that is not reflected on your FAFSA, such as loss of income or unexpected medical expenses, the Office of Financial Aid has the ability to review how much financial aidÌýyou may be eligible to receive.

Income Loss or Medical Expenses

Coming soon: 2025-26 Income Calculator

ÌýThe income calculator will be available in Buff Portal by spring for the upcoming school year. Please check back for updates on timing. You can preview the step-by-step instructions on completing an income calculation below.

WhenÌýavailable, you may complete an income calculation to account for the change in your family'sÌýfinancial situation. The income calculation will determine if your financial aid needs to be reevaluated. Qualifying for grants as a result of this processÌýis rare and highly unlikely. If your income change qualifies forÌýan adjustment, aid is typically provided as additional loan eligibility.

The deadline to to be reconsidered for aid is three weeks before the end of the term for which you are requesting the reevaluation. We cannot negotiate financial aid offers orÌýmatch another school’s offer.

Ìý

Circumstances we typically consider:

  • Loss of employment
  • Substantial change in income
  • Medical expenses not covered by insurance
  • Separation or divorce
  • Death of a parent or spouse
  • Loss of child support or alimony
  • House fire or other natural disaster affecting the home in which you live

Ìý

Circumstances we do not consider:

  • Different university offering more aid
  • Reduced 401K values
  • Reduced investment values
  • Credit card debt or car payments
  • Parent's inability or unwillingness to borrow Parent PLUS loans
  • If student already has Student Aid Index (SAI) of -1,500Ìýto 0

How much financial aid will I receive?

It depends. The following are examples of special circumstances which illustrate the likelihood of a reevaluation of financial aid eligibility. Please note that each family's situation is unique and we take many factors into account. Ìý

Please be aware that these income scenarios do not reflect assets or investments, which couldÌýchange your eligibility.

Family Income: $30,000
  • Colorado resident
  • Parent job loss, new incomeÌý$20,000 ($10,000 loss)

Outcome:
A student in this scenario is already receiving the maximum amount of financial aid available andÌýwould not result in additional financial aid.

Family Income: $250,000
  • Nonresident
  • Parent job loss, new income $150,000 ($100,000 loss)

Outcome:
Revised financial aid would be limited toÌýloans, possiblyÌýswitched from unsubsidizedÌýtoÌýsubsidized (delayedÌýinterest). The updated incomeÌýis still too high to qualify for grants.

Family Income: $115,000
  • Colorado resident
  • Medical expenses of $25,000 not covered by insurance

Outcome:
Student would be encouraged to submit supporting documentation as their revised income would likely result in additional grant eligibility.

Am I eligible for grants?

Grants are typically given to low-income students and eligibility is based on your Student Aid Index (SAI). Your SAI is a formulaÌýcreated by the FAFSA to determine your family's ability to pay for college.ÌýIt is not the amount of money your family will need to pay, nor is it the amount of federal student aid you will receive.

  • In previous years, it was unlikely you'd beÌýeligible for CU Boulder grants unless you wereÌýPell eligible.Ìý
  • To meet your cost of attendance, you mayÌýconsider loan options.

Complete an income calculation

To begin,Ìýuse our income calculator and provide updated financial information. The calculator will allow you to see how the change could potentially impact your eligibility for financial aid.

Step-by-step instructions:

  1. Log in toÌýBuff Portal and navigate to the
  2. At the bottom of the card, click More Items
  3. Select Income/Medical Appeal
  4. Select theÌýschool year impacted by the incomeÌýchange (for example, choose 2025 for Fall 2024 & Spring 2025)
  5. Follow the instructions carefully.ÌýYou may be asked toÌýprovideÌýadditional information. If so, this step is required to be reevaluated for financial aid.

ÌýÌý
If you're required to submit additional information, a financial aid advisor will reviewÌýif an adjustment is possible,Ìýwhich may take about 6 to 8Ìýweeks.

FAQs

WeÌýrecommend reviewingÌýthe 'circumstances we consider' at the top of the page to see if any reflect your current circumstance. If you think you may be eligible, you can complete the income calculator in Buff Portal.

A financial aid advisor will review your information and determine if an adjustment is possible,Ìýwhich may take about 6 weeks. Be sure you submit any supporting documentation that is requested as soon as possible, as this could cause delays. You'll receive an email from our office notifying you of theÌýdecision.

If you made a mistake on the income calculator, you can complete the calculator again in two days.Ìý

Consider reviewingÌýother ways to pay for college, which includes payment plans, parent loans, and private loans. Based on the information you provided,Ìýyour income change/medical expense will not result in a change to your financial aid.

You have already been offered the maximum amount of financial aid available. YourÌýfinancial aid will not change.ÌýConsider reviewingÌýother ways to pay for college, which includes payment plans, parent loans, and private loans.

If you didn't submit a FAFSA, please contact the Office of Financial Aid and a counselor will assist you with theÌýprocess.

Unexpected Academic Expenses

Students may also request an increase to their cost of attendance for uncommon expenses they may have during the academic year, such as purchasing a new computer, or books and supplies that exceed the budgeted amount. You can find these requests below Special Circumstances & Appeals Forms.

No Parental Information

For financial aid purposes, a student is considered a dependent of their parents. You may appeal to beÌýconsidered independently from your parents if you haveÌýan unusual circumstanceÌýsuch as an abusive family environment, abandonment, incarceration of a parent, etc.

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