Income Adjustment Appeal
Appeal Overview
The FAFSA uses your family鈥檚 annual income from two years ago to project how much your family can afford to contribute toward your expenses while you attend college. This projection assumes that family income is relatively stable over the course of time. While the FAFSA form does not give the student the opportunity to explain a special circumstance that could affect his or her ability to pay for college; federal law allows authorized officials in our office to make certain adjustments to your income data so that it accurately reflects your family鈥檚 situation. These types of adjustments are made on a case-by-case basis.
If your family has experienced one or more of the following special circumstances, you may qualify for an adjustment to the information on your FAFSA. Making these types of adjustments may result in increased financial aid eligibility.
Documents to Submit for 2025-2026:
- 2023 IRS Tax Return Transcript for the person who is unemployed
- 2023 Wage and Income Transcript for the person who is unemployed
- Termination Notice from the former employer confirming the last date of employment
- Unemployment Determination Notice from the State Department of Labor
- This will show how much the unemployed person is eligible to receive as a weekly benefit as well as for how long they are eligible to receive unemployment benefits
- Severance pay information
- Furlough information
- Acceptable documentation may include, but is not limited to: a letter from the employer discussing the terms of the furlough including dates
Documents to Submit for 2025-2026:
- 2023 IRS Tax Return Transcript for the person who is disabled
- 2023 Wage and Income Transcript for the person who is disabled
- Disability Determination Notice from the State Department of Labor
- This will show how much the disabled person is eligible to receive as a weekly benefit as well as for how long they are eligible to receive disability benefits
- Letter from former employer documenting the person's last date of employment
Documents to Submit for 2025-2026:
- 2023 IRS Tax Return Transcript for the person who is retired
- 2023 Wage and Income Transcript for the person who is retired
- Letter from former employer documenting the person's last date of employment
- Documentation of expected retirement benefits
- Documentation may include, but is not limited to: pension or social security benefits
Documents to Submit for 2025-2026:
- Death Certificate
- Documentation of Social Security Benefits received
- 2023 IRS Tax Return Transcript(s) or signed 2023 IRS 1040(s), including all pages and schedules
- 2023 IRS Wage and Income Transcript(s) or all W2 and 1099 forms
Documents to Submit for 2025-2026:
- Documentation of separate residences for both parties
- Acceptable documentation may include: drivers licenses (issued after the date of divorce/separation), mortgage statements, rental agreements, utility bills, etc.
- Relevant court/legal documents
- Documents may include but are not limited to: Petition for Divorce or a Divorce Decree
- 2023 IRS Tax Return Transcript(s) or signed 2023 IRS 1040(s), including all pages and schedules
- 2023 IRS Wage and Income Transcript(s) or all W2 and 1099 forms for both parties
Documents to Submit for 2025-2026:
- 2023 IRS Tax Return Transcript(s)
- 2023 Wage and Income Transcript(s)
- Unemployment Determination Notice from the State Department of Labor (if unemployed)
- This will show that the unemployed person has exhausted their unemployment benefits
Documents to Submit for 2025-2026:
- 2023 IRS Tax Return Transcript(s)
- 2023 Wage and Income Transcript(s)
- Three most recent year-to-date Pay Stubs and/or documentation showing the start date of the new job and the hourly rate/salary the person will earn