SCFIND
Special Circumstances Form
Independent Student
2020-2021
Office of Financial Aid ▪ 100 East 8
th
Street ▪ PO Box 9000 ▪ Holland, MI 49422-9000
P: 616-395-7765 ▪ F: 616-395-7160 ▪ finaid@hope.edu ▪ hope.edu/financialaid
If your (or your spouse’s) 2020 projected income is expected to be significantly less than that of 2018 or 2019,
provide the requested information. The involuntarily unemployment must be in effect for at least 8 weeks.
1. Attach a detailed letter explaining the circumstances affecting your family’s income for the period of
January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Unemployment must not be voluntary.
2. Provide a signed copy of your (and your spouse’s) 2018 and 2019 federal 1040 tax return/W-2 forms.
3. Provide documentation of income estimates (copies of pay stubs, unemployment stubs, verification of
retirement, pensions, Social Security benefits, etc). For loss of employment, also attach a letter from the past
employer on company letterhead confirming loss of employment and the effective date.
4. EXPECTED INCOME IN 2020
Ex
pected gross income from work $____________
Spouse’s expected gross income from work (if you are married) $____________
Net income from business, farm, rentals, royalties, partnerships, estates, trusts, etc. $____________
Unemployment benefits for ____student or ____spouse $____________
Severance or separation pay not included in income from work $____________
Taxable Social Security Benefits $____________
Taxable Pension or Retirement Benefits $____________
Untaxed Social Security Benefits for all family members including SSI disability benefits $____________
Welfare Benefits including TANF but not food stamps or housing assistance $____________
Child Support $____________
Housing, food, & living allowances paid to members of the military, clergy, etc.
(including cash payments and cash value of benefits). $____________
Veterans’ noneducation benefits such as Disability, Death Pension, Dependency &
Indemnity Compensation (DIC), and/or VA Educational Work-Study allowances $____________
Wo
rker’s compensation and disability payments $____________
Any other untaxed income and benefits*: Source(s):__________________________ $____________
*EXCLUDE Workforce Investment Act educational benefits, benefits from flexible spending
arrangements (e.g. cafeteria plans), and combat pay if you are not a tax filer.
5. Child support to be PAID OUT in 2020 because of divorce or separation
$____________
NOTE: Be sure to notify us if your circumstances improve. If through a later review of your 2020
documentation we find that you significantly underestimated your 2020 income, the student’s aid
eligibility will be adjusted accordingly the following year.
_____________________________
