Responding to Changes

2024-25 School Year Criteria

A parent who was employed in 2022 became involuntarily unemployed in 2023; and, the total 2023 income decreased. (Note:  In general, income decreases of less than 25% don’t tend to result in much - if any - change in financial aid eligibility). 

You must submit all of the following documents to request consideration of the special circumstances:

1) A SIGNED letter from the parent describing the loss of income or benefit(s).

2) A completed 2024/25 Special Circumstances Resources Form.

3) All federal tax documents for both 2022 and 2023.

• 2022 Tax Filers: Tax filers must verify income using one of the following methods:
  • Submit a SIGNED copy of your 2022 federal tax return(s) with applicable Schedules OR request and submit a copy of your 2022 Tax Return Transcript obtained directly from the IRS.
  • Copies of parent(s) and student’s 2022 W-2s, Schedule C, and/or Schedule K-1, as applicable.
• 2022 Non-Tax Filers: U.S. individuals who are not required to file IRS tax returns, and would not file non-IRS tax returns, must submit the following:
  • Copy of all W-2(s) or equivalent document for each source of 2022 employment income.
  • A signed & dated statement for each non-filer to specifically certify that for the 2022 tax year:
    • They were not and are not required to file either an IRS or non-IRS tax return for 2022.
    • The sources and amounts of earnings, other income, and resources for the 2022 tax year.
    • Individuals who do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), or Employer Identification Number (EIN) must certify they do not have an SSN, ITIN, and/or EIN.

• 2023 Tax Filers: Tax filers must verify income using one of the following methods:
  • Submit a SIGNED copy of your 2023 federal tax return(s) with applicable Schedules OR request and submit a copy of your 2023 Tax Return Transcript obtained directly from the IRS.
  • Copies of parent(s) and student’s 2023 W-2s, Schedule C, and/or Schedule K-1, as applicable.
• 2023 Non-Tax Filers: U.S. individuals who are not required to file IRS tax returns, and would not file non-IRS tax returns, must submit the following:
  • Copy of all W-2(s) or equivalent document for each source of 2023 employment income.
  • A signed & dated statement for each non-filer to specifically certify that for the 2023 tax year:
    • They were not and are not required to file either an IRS or non-IRS tax return for 2023.
    • The sources and amounts of earnings, other income, and resources for the 2023 tax year.
    • Individuals who do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), or Employer Identification Number (EIN) must certify they do not have an SSN, ITIN, and/or EIN.

2024-25 School Year Criteria

A parent received non-wage income in 2022 (e.g., alimony, child support, etc.), will no longer receive the income, and the total annual income for 2023 decreased.  (Note: In general, income decreases of less than 25% don’t tend to result in much - if any - change in financial aid eligibility).

You must submit all of the following documents to request consideration of the special circumstances:

1) A SIGNED letter from the parent describing the loss of income or benefit(s).

2) A completed 2024/25 Special Circumstances Resources Form.

3) All federal tax documents for both 2022 and 2023.

• 2022 Tax Filers: Tax filers must verify income using one of the following methods:
  • Submit a SIGNED copy of your 2022 federal tax return(s) with applicable Schedules OR request and submit a copy of your 2022 Tax Return Transcript obtained directly from the IRS.
  • Copies of parent(s) and student’s 2022 W-2s, Schedule C, and/or Schedule K-1, as applicable.
• 2022 Non-Tax Filers:  U.S. individuals who are not required to file IRS tax returns, and would not file non-IRS tax returns, must submit the following:
  • Copy of all W-2(s) or equivalent document for each source of 2022 employment income.
  • A signed & dated statement for each non-filer to specifically certify that for the 2022 tax year:
    • They were not and are not required to file either an IRS or non-IRS tax return for 2022.
    • The sources and amounts of earnings, other income, and resources for the 2022 tax year.
    • Individuals who do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), or Employer Identification Number (EIN) must certify they do not have an SSN, ITIN, and/or EIN.

• 2023 Tax Filers: Tax filers must verify income using one of the following methods:
  • Submit a SIGNED copy of your 2023 federal tax return(s) with applicable Schedules OR request and submit a copy of your 2023 Tax Return Transcript obtained directly from the IRS.
  • Copies of parent(s) and student’s 2023 W-2s, Schedule C, and/or Schedule K-1, as applicable.
• 2023 Non-Tax Filers: U.S. individuals who are not required to file IRS tax returns, and would not file non-IRS tax returns, must submit the following:
  • Copy of all W-2(s) or equivalent document for each source of 2023 employment income.
  • A signed & dated statement for each non-filer to specifically certify that for the 2023 tax year:
    • They were not and are not required to file either an IRS or non-IRS tax return for 2023.
    • The sources and amounts of earnings, other income, and resources for the 2023 tax year.
    • Individuals who do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), or Employer Identification Number (EIN) must certify they do not have an SSN, ITIN, and/or EIN.

2024-25 School Year Criteria

A parent received a one-time, non-recurring income in 2022 (e.g., capital gains, IRA/Pension distribution, or settlement, etc.), but did not receive the income in 2023 and their income decreased. (Note: In general, income decreases of less than 25% don’t tend to result in much - if any - change in financial aid eligibility).

You must submit all of the following documents to request consideration of the special circumstances:

1) A SIGNED letter from the parent describing the loss of income or benefit(s).

2) A completed 2024/25 Special Circumstances Resources Form.

3) All federal tax documents for both 2022 and 2023.

• 2022 Tax Filers: Tax filers must verify income using one of the following methods:
  • Submit a SIGNED copy of your 2022 federal tax return(s) with applicable Schedules OR request and submit a copy of your 2022 Tax Return Transcript obtained directly from the IRS.
  • Copies of parent(s) and student’s 2022 W-2s, Schedule C, and/or Schedule K-1, as applicable.
• 2022 Non-Tax Filers: U.S. individuals who are not required to file IRS tax returns, and would not file non-IRS tax returns, must submit the following:
  • Copy of all W-2(s) or equivalent document for each source of 2022 employment income.
  • A signed & dated statement for each non-filer to specifically certify that for the 2022 tax year:
    • They were not and are not required to file either an IRS or non-IRS tax return for 2022.
    • The sources and amounts of earnings, other income, and resources for the 2022 tax year.
    • Individuals who do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), or Employer Identification Number (EIN) must certify they do not have an SSN, ITIN, and/or EIN.

• 2023 Tax Filers: Tax filers must verify income using one of the following methods:
  • Submit a SIGNED copy of your 2023 federal tax return(s) with applicable Schedules OR request and submit a copy of your 2023 Tax Return Transcript obtained directly from the IRS.
  • Copies of parent(s) and student’s 2023 W-2s, Schedule C, and/or Schedule K-1, as applicable.
• 2023 Non-Tax Filers: U.S. individuals who are not required to file IRS tax returns, and would not file non-IRS tax returns, must submit the following:
  • Copy of all W-2(s) or equivalent document for each source of 2023 employment income.
  • A signed & dated statement for each non-filer to specifically certify that for the 2023 tax year:
    • They were not and are not required to file either an IRS or non-IRS tax return for 2023.
    • The sources and amounts of earnings, other income, and resources for the 2023 tax year.
    • Individuals who do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), or Employer Identification Number (EIN) must certify they do not have an SSN, ITIN, and/or EIN.

2025-26 School Year Criteria

Provisional Independent Status & Unusual Circumstances

A student may have unusual circumstances if they are unable to contact their parent(s) or when contact with parent(s) poses a risk to the students’ personal health and safety.

Unusual circumstances that may be considered

• Abandonment and/or estrangement by parents
• An abusive family environment / Neglect
• Incarceration/institutionalization of both parents
• Parents cannot be located
• Legally granted asylum

Circumstances that cannot be considered

• Parents refusal to contribute to your education
• Parents refusal to provide information on the FAFSA
• Parents do not claim you as a dependent for income tax purposes

Students who would otherwise be required to report parent information on the FAFSA, but unusual circumstances prevent them from obtaining that required information, may request the Lewis & Clark Financial Aid Office review their case to determine if a Dependency Override can be approved. To request a review of your unusual circumstances complete the 2025-2026 Dependency Override Request - Unusual Circumstances form, and submit it with all corresponding documentation.

Provisional Independent Status & Other Circumstances: Unaccompanied Youth

Students who are unaccompanied homeless youth or an unaccompanied and self-supporting youth at risk of homelessness, who would otherwise be required to provide parent information on the FAFSA, can apply for aid as an Independent student. The FAFSA includes a question to help applicants report if they are an unaccompanied homeless youth or an unaccompanied and self-supporting youth at risk of homelessness.

• Unaccompanied—when a student is not living in the physical custody of a parent or guardian
• Homeless—lacking fixed, regular, and adequate housing
• At risk of being homeless—when a student’s housing may cease to be fixed, regular, and adequate, for example, a student who is being evicted or has been asked to leave their current residence and has been unable to find fixed, regular, and adequate housing

Schools must collect documentation to review and make a final determination of the dependency status for any student who answers ‘yes’ to being an unaccompanied homeless youth or an unaccompanied and self-supporting youth at risk of homelessness on their FAFSA. To request a review of dependency status complete the 2025-2026 Dependency Override Request - Other Circumstances: Unaccompanied Youth form, and submit it with all corresponding documentation.