The Financial Aid Office recognizes that student and family situations can change, and those changes are not always reflected on your financial aid application (FAFSA or WASFA). We are committed to ensuring we are equitably packaging aid; therefore, to ensure our students have the resources they need to be successful, our aid administrators can review certain situations to see if your aid can be adjusted in certain situations.
Which situation applies to you?
Income has changed for you or your parent(s) since filing the FAFSA or WASFA
→ Review the Special Circumstances process below.
You are under 24 and unable to provide parent information on your FAFSA or WASFA
→ Review the Unusual Circumstances process below.
Special Circumstances
The FAFSA uses prior-prior year income, which may not reflect your current financial situation. In some cases, Financial Aid Administrators may use professional judgment to adjust income information if it benefits your aid package.
To request a review:
Submit a Special Circumstances form
Include required supporting documentation
File after submitting your FAFSA or WASFA
Forms are available on the Forms page or at any one of our offices.
Unusual Circumstances
Students under age 24 are generally required to provide parent information. However, under the FAFSA Simplification Act, Bates may review and adjust dependency status in cases involving unusual circumstances.
Unusual circumstances do not include:
Parents refusing to contribute to education
Parents unwilling to provide FAFSA information
Parents not claiming the student on taxes
Student financial self-sufficiency alone
Unusual circumstances may include:
Human trafficking
Refugee or asylum status
Parental abandonment or estrangement
Student or parental incarceration
Unaccompanied homeless youth or risk of homelessness
To request a review, submit a completed Unusual Circumstances form with supporting documentation. Forms are available on the Forms page or at our offices.
Final determinations and financial aid offers will be provided as soon as possible and no later than 60 days after enrollment. Requests may be denied if required documentation is not submitted within this timeframe.
Need Help?
Contact a Financial Aid Administrator:
Phone: 253-680-7020
Email: financialaid@batestech.edu
Or visit us during normal business hours.