Q: My family has unusual or special circumstances which may affect our ability with meeting college costs. What can I do?
A: Changes that will affect family income in the current tax year (2013) will not be reflected in the aid eligibility formula until the 2014-15 academic year. Therefore, other than reconsidering your educational plans, you may want to look into your eligibility for non-need based programs such as Parent Loans and/or private alternative loans since we do not have any private institutional or non-federal funds to assist students with special circumstances. We also strictly adhere to federal regulations and guidelines which require reporting of prior year information as well as parental income of dependent students as defined on the FAFSA.
NOTE: Transfer students should not assume that any special conditions approved at a prior institution will be treated similarly at New Paltz.
Family inability and/or unwillingness to assist with meeting college costs does not constitute a “special circumstance”. Families experiencing severe economic hardship due to drastic changes such as death, disability, involuntary unemployment, etc. may submit actual 2013 tax returns and documentation of year 2013 non-taxable income to our office between January 1, 2014 and February 15, 2014. We shall re-evaluate eligibility for the 2013-2014 academic year and notify you as soon as possible thereafter. All requests must be received in writing outlining briefly the circumstances no later than June 1, 2013. Late requests will not be considered.
Unfortunately, sufficient levels of federal and state financial aid monies are not available to meet the full needs of increasing numbers of applicants as costs increase at the same time. All applicants are urged to seek private aid funding if possible from their local communities, schools and/or employers.
