A letter of special circumstance is a letter that a student writes to a college or university when he cannot afford the tuition. It is meant to demonstrate that the circumstances keeping the family from paying tuition are out of the family's control. Once the school has received the letter, it will look further into the situation. If the school determines that the family situation does qualify as a special circumstance, it will make arrangements so that you can go to school regardless of the financial crisis. This might include an extended payment plan or tuition waiver.
Instructions
1. Visit your school's financial aid or admissions website before writing the letter. Each school requires a different process for submitting a letter of special circumstance. Your school's website will define if you need to provide additional documents or if you need to include information in your letter that other schools might not request.
2. Format the letter professionally. Write the date in the top left corner. Press Enter twice and write the contact information of the person you are writing the letter to, as if you were sending a letter. Include the person's name or the university department you are writing to, the address and any other additional information, such as a telephone number. Press Enter twice and write the salutation.
3. Introduce the situation that is causing the special circumstance. This should include a statement that your family has no control over this financial matter and that it causes undue hardship for your family if you must pay tuition. An example of this includes the death of the family's major wage earner.
4. Explain details that will help the school in determining whether or not the situation is a special circumstance. For example, if your dad died, you might explain that he did not have life insurance and that your mom does not have a job. This demonstrates why your family is in a special circumstance and you cannot pay the tuition.
5. Leave your contact information, such as your phone number, at the bottom of the letter and next to your name. Be sure to both print and sign your name. Include any other information that will aid the school in identifying you, such as a student ID number.
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