Special Circumstance Forms

If you feel the FAFSA (federal application) does not provide an accurate or complete picture of your family’s financial situation, the forms on this page may help to explain and document your personal, special circumstance(s).

Review the situations listed below, and determine if any are relevant. It is often beneficial to contact our office first, providing general details before completing any form, as doing so may not affect your (your student's) eligibility. Complete any applicable form(s) only if your cost exceeds the minimum amount shown, or we recommend you do so. Return them to the Office of Financial Aid., preferably as a .pdf via email. You may also fax or send by mail to the number/address at the bottom of the form. 

Forms for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
  • Educational Expenses - your parent pays $2000+ for his/her education, or for a siblings (grades K-12 only) during 2023-2024 academic year
  • Educational Loans - parent borrower is currently repaying $2000+/year to his/her own loan, or a loan for expenses for a sibling who is no longer in college
  • Healthcare Expenses - Complete if your parent expect to pay in 2023 at least the following amounts: 2 in family: $4000;  3 - $4500;  4 - $5000;  5 - $5500;  6 - $6000;  7 - $6500
  • Income Change (parent) - a significant change vs. 2021
  • Income Change (student) - a significant change vs. 2021
  • Unusual Expenses - parent pays $2000+ in 2023 for such things as dependent care, funeral costs, home repairs (non-elective), legal fees, maintaining two homes, support of extended family, etc. If you are a returning student and you submitted this form for the 2022-2023 academic year, we cannot consider the same expense for the same occurrence in the 2023-2024 academic year. We can, however, consider repeating expenses.
Forms for the 2022-2023 Academic Year
  • Educational Expenses - your parent pays $2000+ for his/her education, or for a siblings (grades K-12 only) during 2022-2023 academic year
  • Educational Loans - parent borrower is currently repaying $2000+/year to his/her own loan, or a loan for expenses for a sibling who is no longer in college
  • Healthcare Expenses - Complete if your parent paid in 2021 or will pay in 2022 at least the following amounts: 2 in family: $4000;  3 - $4500;  4 - $5000;  5 - $5500;  6 - $6000;  7 - $6500
  • Income Change (parent) - a significant change vs. 2020
  • Income Change (student) - a significant change vs. 2020
  • Second Household Expenses - parents married, but currently living in different homes in different cities
  • Unusual Expenses - parent pays $2000+ in 2021 or 2022 for such things as dependent care, funeral costs, non-elective home repairs, legal fees, support of extended family, etc.


Options for documenting your 2020 income. As of mid-May, most students who were selected for "verification" no longer need to provide documentation of their/their parents' income. If you do need to document 2020 income, you have several options:

  • Use the IRS DRT (preferred): In most cases when you filed a tax return, the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (included within the FAFSA) is the best method, following these steps.  Note that you cannot use the DRT when...  

  • Provide a signed copy of your 2020 federal income tax return (1040).

  • Provide a tax return transcript (TRT) for 2020.  From the IRS Site choose "Request Online" to gain immediate access to a .pdf or choose "Request by Mail" to receive within two weeks. You may also request by phone, at 800-908-9946.

If you are experiencing any hardship whatsoever, especially during this unsettling time of COVID-19, please let us know. We will help as much as we can!

Scan & e-mail, fax, or mail completed forms to:

Office of Financial Aid
Lake Forest College
555 N Sheridan Rd
Lake Forest, IL  60045-2338
E-mail: finaid@lakeforest.edu
Fax: 847-735-5103

Contact Financial Aid

Phone and Fax

847-735-5103
finaid@lakeforest.edu

Location

Patterson Lodge, 2nd Floor
Middle Campus, Map

Hours

Monday-Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

FINANCIAL AID STAFF

Jerry Cebrzynski
Associate Vice President for Financial Aid
847-735-5104
cebrzynski@lakeforest.edu

Mark Anderson
Associate Director
847-735-5010
anderson@lakeforest.edu

Adriana Rodriguez
Associate Director for Financial Aid Operations
VA Certifying Official
847-735-5015
rodriguez@lakeforest.edu

Si necesita hablar con alguien en español en la oficina de ayuda financiera, usted puede llamar a Adriana Rodriguez.