If you are facing an unforeseen financial hardship due to COVID-19, the Student Financial Aid office stands ready to assist you. Visit the Emergency Aid page for more information.

Economic Hardship

Current circumstances are not always reflected accurately on the FAFSA since tax information being reported is two years old. If your family has experienced a significant change in income, we encourage you to contact our Special Circumstances Response Team at specialcircumstances@missouri.edu with a detailed statement regarding your current situation. Examples of major changes in financial situations include:

• Parent(s) or student recently unemployed
• Parent(s) or student is receiving less pay
• Parents or student has become separated or divorced
• Death of parent or student’s spouse
• Medical and dental expenses not covered by insurance
• Private elementary or secondary school expenses
• Unemployment benefits or untaxed income no longer received
• IRA and 401K withdrawals
• Other changes to a student’s status or to a student’s or family’s income or assets

Once your request is reviewed, the Special Circumstances Response Team may request supporting documents. Supporting documents may include:

• Signed Federal Tax Returns
• W2(s)
• Pay stubs
• Documentation of unemployment
• Divorce decree or documentation of separate addresses
• Obituary or death certificate
• Documentation of paid medical expenses
• Letter of separation from employer(s)

Appeals are reviewed by a team member and are handled on a case-by-case basis; judgment is made by a financial aid administrator, serving as the final decision. Requests may be denied for reasons including excessive student loan debt.

Mizzou Student Financial Aid will begin reviewing appeals on April 1st; please allow 4 to 6 weeks for the entire process to be completed. Delays may be experienced during peak times.

Adult/Non-Traditional Student Expenses

Childcare

If you’re a student with dependent children, please have your child care provider submit the Child Care Payment Verification Form with accompanying documentation. These forms are reviewed after July 1.

Transportation

Adult students who commute more than 30 miles each way to attend MU classes may be eligible for transportation funding.

Computer Purchase

To determine whether additional assistance is available for purchase of a computer, submit the Cost of Attendance Increase Request Form.

The University of Missouri’s Equal Employment/Education Opportunity policy [UM System CR&R 600.020], which is compliant with Federal laws prohibiting discrimination, requires that faculty, student employees and staff members, with some exceptions, report any known, learned or rumored incidents of sex discrimination, including; sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking on the basis of sex, dating/intimate partner violence or sexual exploitation and/or related experiences or incidents. To report sexual misconduct or ask questions about the policies and procedures regarding sexual misconduct, please submit the online reporting form at title9.missouri.edu/reporting or contact the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights, Title IX & ADA, Andy Hayes at 573-882-2824 or hayesas@missouri.edu.