SOWELA Technical Community College
3820 Sen. J. Bennett Johnston Ave.
Lake Charles, LA 70615
337-421-6545-Phone
337-491-2663-Fax
onestop@sowela.edu-Email
2020-2021 Special Circumstance Request Form
Student’s Name: _______________________________________ Student ID #: _____________________________
Mailing Address: ___________________________________________ Telephone Number:
___________________
Em
ail Address: _________________________________________________________________________________
Complete this form, if you or your family have unusual circumstances that may affect your ability to contribute to your 2020-2021
educational expenses. Special circumstances that may be considered are separation/divorce, death, change or loss of employment income,
unusually high medical expenses, or loss of benefits, etc. Submit this completed form with the required documentation listed below to
your campus aid office.
**Verification of your FAFSA information must be completed first before adjustments can be made. Regularly check your LOLA account
for requirements to see what documents are needed.
Required Steps for Special Circumstance Request: (incomplete request will not be accepted)
1. Complete your 2020-2021 FAFSA and have it sent to the
Financial Aid Office.
● www.fafsa.gov
● Federal Processor will send us your FAFSA results
2. Attach a Signed Letter specifying your unusual
circumstances
● Include date(s) situation occurred
● Specify all employers where job loss occurred
● List ALL 2018 or 2019 employers for student, spouse, & parents
3. Provide copies of 2018 and 2019 W-2 Forms AND/OR 2018
and 2019 1099 Forms
● For independent student (and student’s spouse, if married); or
● For dependent student and student’s parent(s)
● 2018 and 2019 W-2 wages must match IRS transcript wages for both years,
● If W-2 is not available, send 2018 and 2019 IRS Wage & Income Transcript
available at: www.irs.gov/transcript
4. Provide 2018 and 2019 Income Tax Records ● For 2018 and 2019 Tax Filers (send Tax Return Transcript for each person)
▶ Independent student (and spouse if student is married) or
▶ Dependent student and parent (parent & current spouse, or both
parents if unmarried & living together)
▶ Request at www.irs.gov/transcript, or 1-800-908-9946
● For 2018 and 2019 Non-tax Filers Request Verification of Non-Filing form
from the IRS by calling 1-800-908-9946.
▶ Independent student (and spouse if student is married) or
▶Dependent student (parent and parent spouse, if married)
5. Complete Special Circumstance Request Form ● Complete ALL applicable sections and questions of this form, and sign the
certification statement at the end:
▶ Independent student and spouse (if student is married)
▶Dependent student and parent
6. Documentation required, specific to your situation
● Required documents listed under “Reason for Special Circumstance Request”
Reason for Special Circumstance Request
Reason
(check box(s) below)
Changed in 2019or
Documents Required (must pertain to person who had the loss)
1. Employer Separation/Termination Notice or employer signed statement:
▶ Layoff
▶
Student
a. Must be on company letterhead
▶
Termination
▶
Spouse
▶
Parent
b. Must document severance package (if received)
c. Must specify effective date of separation/termination
2. Copy of last 2019 or 2020 pay stub received from student/spouse/parent affected:
a. For All 2019 and/or 2020 employers
