Conflicting Information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Villanova University Application for Financial Assistance, Tax Return(s) or W-2 Forms

Villanova University’s Office of Financial Assistance must resolve conflicting information before awarding or disbursing any financial assistance.  Examples of conflicting information include but are not limited to the following:

1.       Parents indicate on the FAFSA and/or on the Villanova University Application for Financial Assistance that they are married but file separate U.S. or Puerto Rico Income Tax Returns with at least one parent filing as head of household.

2.       Interest and/or dividend income reported on the income tax return is not consistent with the amount of assets and/or dividends reported on the FAFSA.

3.       Individuals report on the FAFSA that they are a non/tax filer but there is reason to believe that a tax return is required to be filed.

4.       Marital status not consistent with the Villanova University Application for Financial Assistance, Federal tax return and/or the FAFSA.

Treatment of Outside Scholarships on Financial Assistance Packages

Villanova University Grant when combined with outside privately funded or non/need based gift aid and scholarships, cannot exceed need.  If need is exceeded, an adjustment is made to reduce self-help aid first (loans, Federal Work-Study) then grant funds. 

Treatment of State Grants

Villanova University Office of Financial Assistance reserves the right to reduce the Villanova University Grant once the state grant award has been confirmed for the student.

Professional Judgment to Override Dependency Status

The Federal Student Handbook states:

“In unusual cases, an aid administrator can determine that a student who doesn’t meet any of the independence criteria should still be treated as an independent student. The Higher Education Act allows an aid administrator to make dependency overrides on a case-by-case basis for students with unusual circumstances.”  The administrator must document the reason(s) for that decision in the student’s file.

Villanova University subscribes to the basic federal tenets regarding the awarding of financial aid which expect that the family (parents and student) primarily are responsible for meeting the cost of post-secondary education.

The policy of the University will be to consider requests to override a student’s dependent status on a case-by-case basis, in keeping with Federal regulations.  In reviewing each case the office will consider the circumstances that exist and whether there are compelling reasons to certify the student as an independent student through the use of professional judgment.  A parent’s unwillingness to provide financial support and/or information needed to determine a student’s eligibility is not justification to declare the student as independent.

Examples of circumstance that are considered “compelling” would include but are not limited to:

• abusive home situation (physical as well as psychological)

• substance abuse by parents

• intolerable home environment

In addition to information being received from the student applicant, corroboration must be provided through a written statement provided by a reliable third-party (e.g. clergy, counselor, lawyer, etc.)

The decision to use professional judgment in order to override normal dependent status will be made only by administrative staff.  The Director of Financial Assistance will be the person to whom students may appeal decisions made by other administrative staff who does not deem circumstances compelling or documentation insufficient.  Overrides do not carry over from one year to the next; the Office of Financial Assistance must reaffirm each year that the unusual circumstances persist and that an override is still justified.

Reduced Income from Prior Tax Year

Request for Revision form must be submitted that explains the reason for the change in income (unemployment, death, disability, divorce/separation) along with supporting documentation, such as layoff or closure letter, final pay stub, divorce decree, separation papers, etc. 

Roth IRA rollovers will be excluded from the families Adjusted Gross Income if indicated on the Villanova University Application for Financial Assistance

Loss of Social Security Benefits or Child Support

The Office of Financial Assistance may consider a reduction to Social Security Benefits and/or child support.  Documentation is required which includes a signed statement from the parent(s) and student stating the month and year that the benefit will cease and the amount received until that date.  A letter from the Social Security (Form 1099) must also be provided.

Siblings Enrolled in Graduate school, as a Part Time Student, Seeking a Second Baccalaureate Degree, or Enrolled in any of the Military Academies

For the purposes of determining Villanova University Grant eligibility, only siblings enrolled in full time undergraduate programs will be counted towards number in college.

Special Circumstances not Considered

Villanova University does not consider private school tuition (elementary or secondary), non recurring income such as but not limited to overtime, moving expenses, work bonuses, gambling winnings as well as prior debt/bankruptcies/payments to educational loans.

Award letter with Incomplete/Missing Documents

If a student receives an award notice indicating that the financial aid file is incomplete, the aid award is only an estimate and subject to change pending receipt of all missing documents.  As such, the aid will not be deducted from the student’s tuition account until all documents have been received and reviewed. 

Business and/or Farm Net Worth

For purposes of calculating Villanova Grant eligibility, the net worth of a business and/or farm will be considered regardless of the number of full-time or full-time equivalent employees.