Special Circumstances

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Understand Eligibility Requirements:

You must officially be a student of Millersville University. This means you must be admitted and have confirmed your attendance (e.g., have paid your confirmation fee).

• A completed FAFSA must be on file with Millersville University.
• This process only applies to federal financial aid eligibility.

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Know Re-evaluation Limitations:

Several factors are considered during the re-evaluation process to determine your eligibility for additional federal financial aid.

• The documentation you submit is used to update your FAFSA.

• Your Student Aid Index (SAI) is recalculated based on this updated information.

• Your Cost of Attendance (COA) and your new SAI are used to reassess your eligibility for additional financial aid.

Everyone's situation is different—and the Special Circumstances Re-Evaluation does not automatically result in additional financial aid. Refer to the chart below for examples of limitations and the potential benefits (changes in aid) based on the factors that determine eligibility.

 

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Plan Ahead:

You must have a backup plan to cover any remaining tuition balance. Failure to pay on time may result in a payment extension fee from the Office of Student Accounts.

• A Special Circumstances Re-Evaluation does not guarantee additional funding.
• Before submitting your request, we encourage you to accept all other financial aid options offered, including Federal Direct Loans.

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Need Additional Support?

Explore additional financing and payment options.

• Federal Direct Loans.
• Parent Plus Loans
• Private/Alternative Loans
• Installment Plans with OSA.

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💡 tips & Disclaimers:

 PA residents who completed the FAFSA before May 1:

• To request reconsideration for the PA State Grant, contact the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).
• Please note that this involves a separate form, documentation, and reevaluation process.

If your Student Aid Index (SAI) is already zero -0- or less: C

• Completing this process will not result in additional aid.
• Contact the Office of Financial Aid to explain your circumstances and request to be placed on the Additional Funds Waitlist.

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STEP 1: Submit Your FAFSA

Before beginning the Special Circumstance process, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), since this process only impacts federal financial aid.
If you have already submitted your FAFSA, you can move on to Step 2.

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STEP 2: Contact the Office of Financial Aid

If any of the special circumstances listed earlier apply to you, contact the Office of Financial Aid to request a Special Circumstances review. A Financial Aid Representative will review your account and help determine whether pursuing this process could benefit you.

💡Important: Refer to the Terms of Special Circumstances for important information and disclaimers. 

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STEP 3: Complete the Special Circumstance Form

If you choose to move forward, a Financial Aid Representative will add the Special Circumstance requirement to your student account. From there, you can create a StudentForms account and complete the necessary form.

As you complete the form, it will specify which supporting documents you need to submit, based on your individual situation. You can securely upload the information directly into StudentForms.

💡Important:

• Your account will not be reviewed until the form is complete and all documentation is submitted. Missing documents or incomplete submissions will delay the processing of your information.
• After reviewing the submitted documentation, you may be asked for clarification or additional information before the changes can be processed and a determination made. 

If you are having difficulty completing the form or submitting documentation, email us: fa.mail@milllersville.edu

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Step 4: Don't Forget to Plan

Remember—even if you qualify for additional aid, it might not be enough to lower your remaining balance significantly. You are ultimately responsible for having a plan in place to cover your charges with the Office of Student Accounts (OSA) by the billing due date to avoid a payment extension fee (late fee) or prevent future registration.

Explore additional financing and payment options.

• Federal Direct Loans.
• Parent Plus Loans
• Private/Alternative Loans
• Installment Plans with OSA.

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Due to the high volume of requests, the intricacies of the review process, and updates to the FAFSA, the entire review process will take some time. 

Estimated Processing Time: 4–6 weeks from the date that all required documents are received.

Additional Information Needed: If more information is required after the initial review, it may further delay the processing timeframe. 

Evaluation Completed: You will receive an email notification at your Millersville University email address explaining the outcome. You will also be informed if any additional financial aid is awarded.

The Office of Financial Aid cannot make any adjustments to the PA State Grant eligibility. Students and families would need to complete separate documentation for PHEAA. Below are different forms that can be completed for re-evaluation for eligibility for a PA State Grant:  

• Reduced Income Form
• Recent Separation/Divorce
• Medical Dental Expenses

PHEAA will use the information reported on these forms to reconsider your eligibility for the PA State Grant. 

💡Pro-tip: Return the completed forms and documents by secure upload in your PHEAA account. 

• If you send this form to our office, we cannot forward it to PHEAA - you must send it directly.
• If you cannot upload your information, contact PHEAA directly at 1-800-692-7392 for the best option to submit your documents.
• If you choose to mail the documentation to PHEAA the review process will likely take longer. PHEAA | PO Box 8167 | Harrisburg PA 17105-8167