Special Circumstances

Financial Changes:

Middlesex strives to provide the most suitable financial aid package based upon the information provided to our office. We make every effort to help all students who qualify. Please be aware that financial aid packages are based on you’re the results of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

You may request a review of your financial aid package if there is a change in your family’s circumstances or if there is an unusual situation that your family may be facing. Most, but not all circumstances typically fall under one of the following categories:

  • Loss of employment.
  • Loss of taxable/untaxed income (i.e., child support, alimony or worker’s compensation).
  • Separation or divorce after the FAFSA has been filed.
  • Death of a parent/spouse.
  • One-time income distribution on the FAFSA (i.e., pension or IRA distribution, inheritance, or bonus).
  • Medical or dental expenses exceeding 11% of your adjusted gross income.

If you feel that you fall under one of these or similar situations, please contact our office at 978-656-3242 or email us at financialaid@middleses.mass.edu

 

Unusual Circumstances for Dependent Students:

For students with NO parental contact

Examples might include:

  • Parental abuse or abandonment
  • Parental whereabouts are unknown, or
  • Other similar circumstances that prevent a student from being able to obtain parental information for the FAFSA

Students in these scenarios may request a Dependency Override by submitting:

  1. A written, signed statement from the student applicant explaining the situation in detail. The letter must address the student’s relationship with both biological or adoptive parents.
  2. A written, signed statement from an adult outside the family, in a professional position, who can confirm the situation (a high school guidance counselor, psychologist, family physician, clergy person, or member of the law enforcement, etc.).  This statement must be on professional letterhead.
  3. Documentation of court or DSS (Department of Social Services) involvement, if applicable.

If you are unable to obtain supporting documentation from a professional, please contact the Financial Aid to discuss other options.

For students who still have parental contact

  • Parent is unwilling to provide the financial information needed to complete the FAFSA,
  • Parent refuses to contribute towards college expenses
  • Student financially supports themselves

Students who meet these criteria do not qualify for a Dependency Override, but can be considered for an unsubsidized student loan only if they provide the following:

  1. A written, signed statement from the student applicant explaining the situation. In this letter, the student must state that they do not live with their parents, that they receive no financial support from parents, and indicate how student is being supported (self-supporting, living with another family member, etc.). Please be sure to address the situations concerning both of your biological or adoptive parents. 
  2. A signed statement from parent (or both parents if they are not married and living together) indicating that the student does not live with them, that they do not and will not provide any financial support to student, and that they refuse to complete the FAFSA.  Students should make every effort to obtain this letter from their parent.  If a letter from the parent not possible, a student must submit a written, signed statement from an adult outside the family, in a professional position, who can confirm the situation (a high school guidance counselor, psychologist, family physician, clergy person, or member of the law enforcement, etc.).  This letter must be on the individual’s professional letterhead.  
Last Modified: 8/4/23