(Special Circumstance, Unusual Circumstance, Medical Expenses)
At Loyola, we take the time to personally consider each individual family's financial circumstances and will do all we can to make accommodations when determining your financial aid award. Our goal is to offer you the best possible financial aid package based on your or your family's current financial situation within the parameters of existing policies, federal regulations, and the availability of funds.
Incoming first-year and transfer students interested in appealing their financial aid eligibility or to pursue unusual circumstances may contact the Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@loyola.edu for instructions.
Reconsideration of Your 2023-24 Aid Eligibility
The Appeal Process is available to all students to request Professional Judgment consideration of special financial and/or unusual circumstances which may influence your or your family's ability to pay for college.
Special Circumstances
Aid eligibility for the 2023-24 academic year is based on 2021 income and current asset information. Students and families can request a review of their financial aid eligibility if they are experiencing a change in financial status. Circumstances that can be taken into consideration include but are not limited to the following:
- Reduction or loss of income, employment or benefits
- One-time, non-recurring increase in income
- Death or disability of parent
- Divorce or separation
To initiate a special circumstance aid appeal you must complete the 2023-24 Special Circumstances Appeal Form.* The appeal will be reviewed after you have been awarded for the 2023-24 academic year.
Unusual Circumstances
Students who are experiencing unusual parental circumstances or conditions may qualify for a dependency override to their FAFSA, making them an independent student for financial aid purposes. The following are examples of unusual parental circumstances that would allow an aid administrator to make a professional judgment change to the FAFSA:
- Death or incapacitation of only parent
- Parental Abandonment, Abuse
- Parental Incarceration
- Parental whereabouts unknown
- Human Trafficking
- Refugee or Asylee Status
To initiate an unusual circumstances appeal, you must complete the 2023-24 Unusual Circumstances Appeal Form.*
Unreimbursed Medical Expenses
Students and families can request a review of their financial aid eligibility if they incur excessive medical, dental, or vision care expenses not covered by insurance during calendar year 2022.
To initiate a medical expense appeal you must complete the 2023-24 Medical Expense Appeal Form.* The appeal will be reviewed after you have been awarded for the 2023-24 academic year.
* Please note that documentation will be requested and required for all Professional Judgment Appeals. Appeals will be reviewed within 30 days of receipt of requested/required documentation. Submission of an appeal does not guarantee approval, and students and families should make alternative payment arrangements while waiting for the outcome of an appeal.