<p>I am a parent and I called a few weeks ago and asked about an appeal for special circumstances (loss of job). I was told to send a letter detailing the situation with verification documents. They never said it should come from the student but now I see that on the web page 
They responded within approx 3 weeks. They gave us nothing more, even with two children in college. Although my daughter received a $20,000 academic award, it is impossible to attend without additional funds.<br>
Look here for some info:</p>
<p>[Loss</a> of Income | Office of Financial Aid | American University, Washington, DC](<a href=“http://www.american.edu/financialaid/lossincome.cfm]Loss”>Loss of Income | American University, Washington, DC)</p>