Western Carolina University

The special conditions process allows for adjustments to be made to certain data elements on the FAFSA, which may result in a change to your EFC.  This adjustment can generate changes to your original financial aid award.  In many cases, an adjustment does not increase the student's eligibility for grants. 

The following are the criteria considered by the Financial Aid Office at WCU:

• Loss of employment income (can’t use reduced income, change in jobs, or loss of self-employment income)

• Loss of untaxed income or benefit (social security, child support, unemployment compensation, disability)

• Death of parent/spouse or divorce after FAFSA was submitted

• Extraordinary medical or dental expenses paid in prior year in the household where student resides

• Tuition for a special-needs child

• Parent in college

• Parent refusal to submit FAFSA information for a dependent student

For further details and forms needed to request consideration through the special conditions process, continue to the Financial Aid Office forms page. Choose forms for the aid year you are requesting the special condition appeal.