The Special Circumstances Process
1. The 2026-2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed before the special circumstances can be considered. If not already completed, please complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov.
Valparaiso University school code is 001842.
2. If your FAFSA has been selected for verification, you must submit the required documents before special circumstance can be reviewed. Regularly check your dataVU financial Aid Self-Service for require documents are needed www.datavu.valpo.edu.
3. Depending on your situation, you will need to upload supporting documentation within each special circumstance section. You will want to have these documents available while completing this form. You do have the option to save what you have completed to come back later to add the required documents to proceed with form.
4. You will receive a copy of the submitted form via email immediately after submission.
5. Your financial aid counselor will review your Special Circumstances Form and the supporting documentation you upload typically within 3 business days.
6. Your financial aid counselor may require additional documents from you (depending on your situation). Please check your Valpo student email often to see if more documents are required from you. Failing to turn in documents in a timely manner will delay your financial aid counselor in making a professional judgment about your situation and thus delay the possibility of adjustments to your financial aid.
7. Once your financial aid counselor has all of the information that they need, you will be notified if any adjustments have been made to your financial aid (sent to your Valpo student email and parent email if provided on the form). Please note, if any adjustment is made, it will be a one time adjustment for the current academic year.
8. Any institutional loan added per review of your special circumstances was added based on the assumption you will also be accepting and using your federal student loans to assist with your expenses. Institutional loans are not meant to replace federal student loans.
If you have questions or any difficulties completing the form, please reach out to
the Office of Financial aid at 219.464.5015 or finaid@valpo.edu.