Students affected by tornado may have financial aid options

  Thursday, May 1, 2014 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

Pittsburg State University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance has informed students who were affected by the recent tornado in Quapaw, Okla., and Baxter Springs, Kan., that they are eager to discuss potential changes to the students’ financial aid applications as a result of their losses.

Tammy Higgins, director of student financial aid, said that students whose families have suffered financial losses may be eligible to use “Professional Judgment” to recalculate their family’s expected contribution on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Professional Judgment is used on a case-by-case basis to allow consideration of special circumstances on the family's income and assets in the FAFSA formula.

Higgins said summer school or fall semester applicants whose families have sustained losses in the storms should call 620-235-4240 or toll-free, 1-800-854-7488 (select option 2) or email the office at finaid@pittstate.edu.

“We want them to know that we’ll do whatever we can to help them during this difficult time,” Higgins said.