2025-2026 FAFSA Data Appeal Resouce Page

Situation

Does this Apply to You?

Example Documentation

Elementary/Secondary School and Dependent Care Expenses  

This applies to you if you (or your parent[s]) have additional expenses related to:

• A dependent’s attendance at a tuition-charging school,
• Childcare, or
• The care of a disabled or elderly family member

These expenses must significantly impact your or your family’s ability to pay for educational costs.

Income tax return (listing of dependents); receipts for tuition/dependent care payments; signed, itemized statement of expenses; cancelled checks. 

Unusual Medical, Dental, and Nursing Home Expenses  

This applies to you if you or your parent(s) have medical, dental, or nursing home expenses not covered by insurance that significantly impact your or your family’s ability to pay for educational expenses.

Income tax return Schedule A (itemized medical and dental deductions); receipts and/or canceled checks of medical and dental payments; insurance documentation of covered costs

Support of Extended Family  

This applies to you if your family provides financial support to relatives who are unable to support themselves, but who do not qualify as members of your household and this support impacts your family’s ability to pay for educational expenses.

Receipts, billing statements, signed statement from student or parent. 

Unusual Debts  

This applies to you if your family is experiencing high monthly debt payments due to extenuating circumstances, such as:

• Mortgage or credit card debt resulting from unemployment or a failed business
• Legal fees related to divorce, adoption, or similar situations
• Parent or spouse education loan payments
• Other personal debts tied to non-discretionary (essential) expenses

These situations are considered on a case-by-case basis and must impact your family’s ability to pay for educational expenses.

Contract, mortgage, or lien; billing or payment summary from person, company, or agency to whom or which money is owed; signed explanatory statement from parent or student. 

Adjusting Number in College

This applies to you if your family has more than one child enrolled in college, and this is significantly impacting your ability to pay for educational expenses.

Receipts for tuition payments from additional family member; signed, itemized statement of expenses; financial aid offer from additional family member. 

Income Reduction or Nonrecurring Income  

This applies to you if the income reported on your FAFSA form does not accurately reflect your current financial situation, due to circumstances such as:

• Divorce or death in the family
• Loss or change of employment 
• Disability
• Receipt of nonrecurring or one-time income

These situations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and must impact your or your family’s ability to pay for educational expenses.

For estimated income: signed statements documenting estimated earnings; alimony or child support designated in divorce agreements; unemployment compensation and job training benefits; actual disability and social security benefits received. For nonrecurring income: income tax return and/or applicable forms/schedules (itemized deductions; moving expenses, capital gains and losses, death certificate, divorce decree, etc.).