Loss of Income Petitions

Loss of Income petitions are allowed in certain special circumstances. When you completed the FAFSA for 2023-24, you were required to report 2021 income. If your 2022 or 2023 income is less than that earned or received in 2021 due to any of the reasons listed below, you may petition for a reevaluation of financial aid eligibility.

Common reasons for Loss of Income petitions

• Unemployment or change in employment: Should be for a significant length of time (since recent unemployment may be short-lived and result in an insignificant loss of income or even an increase)
• Disability of the student or the student’s parent or spouse
• One-time income used for essential and special circumstances: Examples include an inheritance or withdrawal of 401(k) funds used to pay for critical repairs to the home or to pay for long-term medical care
• Divorce/separation of student or parent: If you are separated or divorced and have already completed verification, you can petition to have your income or your parent's income information adjusted
• Death of a student’s spouse or parent: If your spouse or your parent has passed away after you completed verification, you can petition to have your/your parent's income information adjusted

Circumstances less likely to qualify for a petition

• Loss of income due to quitting job to go back to school or choosing to take a lower-paying job
• Brief or recent unemployment or changes to employment
• Adjustments to income for credit card or other consumer debt payments
• Adjustments for one-time income used to pay other consumer debts (such as mortgage payments)

Instructions

1. Write a letter of explanation describing the unusual loss of income experienced.
2. Submit a signed letter from your parent, if you are a dependent student on the FAFSA and the loss of income is your parent's loss.
3. Provide pertinent documentation of loss of income. Examples include (but are not limited to):
   
   • Letter of separation from employer
   • Paystubs/paychecks
   • Signed tax returns
   • Unemployment statements
   • Medical documentation
   • Court documents
   • Divorce decree
   • Death certificate
4. Submit a Loss of Income Worksheet

Contact us

We invite you to contact Enrollment Services to set up an appointment to speak with an Enrollment Services Counselor if you would like to discuss petitioning for a Loss of Income. Counselors are happy to assist you.