Files completed for verification by the July 1 priority deadline will be given first consideration for processing in order to allow earliest possible disbursement of student aid refunds. After July 1, files are processed based upon receipt date and completion of financial aid file.

It is strongly recommended that you attempt to use the IRS Data Retrieval tool. If not eligible to use the tool, you will need to request your Tax Return Transcript directly from the IRS via Web or phone (1-800-908-9946).

• Verification Packet/Worksheets (These will be requested and made available in your MySCC Portal)
• Tax Return Transcript
• W-2s

When a student files the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the U.S. Department of Education will send results of the FAFSA (the Student Aid Report) to the student via U.S. mail or by email. This report will indicate if the student has been selected for the verification process. Not all students are selected by the U.S. Department of Education for verification. The Financial Aid Office will also receive notification from the U.S. Department of Education and will contact the student as well. It is imperative that the student check their MySCC Portal for this reason.

The verification process requires the college to collect additional documents from the student and his/her family in order to verify information provided on the FAFSA. Along with verification worksheets, the student will need to provide the Financial Aid Office with all required documents and information indicated on the verification worksheets. Depending on individual situations, additional documents may be requested as needed. It is the student's responsibility to make sure the Financial Aid Office receives the items requested in a timely manner.

• Use the IRS Data Retrieval tool when completing your FAFSA.
• Complete your verification packet as soon as possible.
• Request your IRS tax return transcript directly via Web or phone, 1-800-908-9946.
• Provide all W-2s for each person whose income is reported on your FAFSA.
• Amounts reported on the Verification Packet are to be annual/per year figures, not monthly, unless otherwise indicated.
• Complete all items (do not leave blank).
• All applicable parties must sign the verification packet.
• If you or your parents marked separated or divorced as the marital status on the FAFSA, but filed a joint return, you will need to provide a copy of all W-2s.
• If there are further discrepancies on the packet regarding other income information reported, additional documents could be requested at a later date.

A Professional Judgement a.k.a. 'Special Circumstance' appeal allows for a financial aid adjustment due to extenuating circumstances that may have significantly reduced current or prior year income compared to the tax data reported on the FAFSA. Please review our full Special Circumstance/Professional Judgement policy in the Special Circumstance/Professional Judgement PDF.

Qualifying special circumstances include:

• Recent unemployment of a direct family member (mother or father) of dependent student
• Recent unemployment of an independent student or their spouse
• Forced reduction in income
• Marital status change resulting in loss of income
• Death of a dependent student's parent
• Death of an independent student's spouse
• Unusually high medical expenses not covered by insurance
• Primary/Secondary education tuition costs
• Circumstances related to Covid-19
  
  • Involuntary loss of income due to reduced hours or shutdowns as a result of Covid-19 during 2020 or 2021
  • Loss of income effective 2020 or 2021 due to disability
  • Significant medical expenses not covered by insurance during 2020 or 2021 as a result of Covid-19

Reasons not considered special circumstances:

• Voluntary loss/decrease in income
• Student or spouse reducing hours or quitting job to go to school
• Excessive consumer debts
• Thinking you should qualify for a Federal PELL Grant
• FAFSA EFC is already '0' (You may find the EFC on your Student Aid Report)

How do I submit a Special Circumstances Appeal?

1. Complete the FAFSA Verification process (see the section above for required items)
2. Complete the Special Circumstances Appeal in Eforms. Select the appropriate form based on the academic year you are applying for.

Please view our full Unsusual Circumstance/Dependency Override policy in the Unsusual Circumstance/Dependency Override PDF.

As outlined on the FAFSA, federal regulations define the criteria you must meet to be considered an independent student. If you do not meet any of those criteria, you may ask your school's financial aid office to re-evaluate your status. The law governing the Federal Student Aid programs is based on the premise that the family is the first source of the student's support, and the law provides several criteria that decide if the student is considered independent of their parents for aid eligibility. Note that a student reaching the age of 18 or 21 or living apart from their parents does not affect their dependency status.

The Dependency Appeal is the process that SCC uses to review your situation and determine if you are eligible to be considered an independent student. Note: this review is on a case-by-case basis.

Conditions, singly or in combination, which do not qualify for a dependency override include:

• Parents refuse to contribute to the student's education.
• Parents are unwilling to provide information on the FAFSA or for FAFSA verification.
• Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes.
• Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency.

If a student would like to request consideration of dependency appeal, please submit a Dependency Appeal form via Eforms in the portal.

SCC does not provide Direct Unsubsidized Loans for dependent students without parent support being included on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).