» Undergraduate Financial Aid Appeals

2023-24 Financial Aid Appeal

We know that sometimes the information you provide on the FAFSA does not always give us the accurate picture of your family's finances. We also know that sometimes things change after you have completed the FAFSA. In these situations, the Financial Aid Office invites you to complete an appeal form.

The information on this page is designed to walk you through the appeal process.

Before you begin, we always suggest you speak to a Financial Aid Advisor in the office. Our team of advisors can help you determine if you have grounds for an appeal and if that appeal might impact your financial aid eligibility.

What is a Financial Aid Appeal?
A Financial Aid Appeal is a formal request to have the information you have provided on the FAFSA examined for extenuating circumstances. Such circumstances for an appeal include but are not limited to: excess or unusual medical expenses, loss of employment or other excessive shifts in income. The circumstance addressed in your appeal should directly relate to information submitted on your FAFSA.

What is Required to File an Appeal?
The Federal Government requires that we have sufficient documentation on file in order to grant an appeal. This is why your appeal must be in writing and must be signed by the student and at least one parent if the student is dependent. Appeals cannot be granted with an over-the-phone conversation, an in-person meeting or incomplete documentation.

Who Reviews an Appeal?
Your appeal is reviewed by your Financial Aid Counselor and the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. It is important to note that submitting an appeal does not guarantee your appeal will be approved. In some cases, an appeal may be approved but it may not impact your financial aid eligibility. In all cases you will receive communication from your Financial Aid Counselor about the appeal decision. During peak times it may take up to 4 weeks to receive your decision. Filing an appeal does not extend or negate deadlines such as deposit deadlines, registration deadlines and/or payment deadlines.

All appeal decisions are final. The Financial Aid Appeals Committee will not review multiple appeals for the same student within the same academic year based on the same information. You are submitting an appeal for one year only. The results of your appeal may not carry forward into subsequent academic years.

Please Note
Per federal regulation, FAFSAs selected for verification must be verified before special circumstances can be considered. For those not selected, complete 2021 tax information must be updated on the FAFSA before any appeal can take place.

Below you will find a list of extenuating circumstances often submitted for an appeal and the suggested documentation that should be submitted with your appeal. 


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