FINANCIAL AID APPEALS
In order to receive Federal Title IV Financial Aid, all students must maintain "satisfactory academic progress." This policy also applies to recipients of Sumners Grant and Institutional Loan funds. Students who have lost their eligibility for certain types of financial aid have the option to submit an appeal to have their aid reinstated.
Federal regulations do provide for student appeals based on extenuating circumstances. Students must submit their appeals in writing. "Extenuating circumstances include health-related problems (injury or illness), death of a family member, or unanticpated work-related or family-related changes. Poor study habits, too heavy a course load, or lack of preparedness are not extenuating circumstances." Supporting documentation, e.g., hospitalization records, death certificate, etc must be sumitted with the appeal. Appeals will be heard by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee.
To appeal the loss of grants, loans, scholarships and work-study, the student is required to first submit a written appeal online.
If a student’s written appeal for financial aid has been denied, the student may request an In-Person Financial Aid Suspension Appeal with the appeals committee. Requesting an in-person appeal may not change the comittee's decision. However, to do this, the student must complete the following steps:
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Set up a meeting with his or her academic advisor. Print out the relevant In-Person Appeal Form and Academic Plan Worksheet and take it to the meeting so that the student’s academic advisor can complete their portions of the form. The In-Person Appeal Form and Academic Plan Worksheet must be completed and signed by the academic advisor and must be placed, by the academic advisor, in a sealed envelope.
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After meeting with the academic advisor, the student must return the In-Person Appeal Form and Academic Plan Worksheet, in its sealed envelope, to the front desk of the of Financial Aid Office.
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The student will then be contacted by phone and/or email to set up their in-person appeal with the committee.
In-person appeal form 2011-2012
Important note for prospective appellants: Students are afforded only one In-Person Financial Aid Suspension Appeal during their tenure. Do not submit this form if you have ever completed an in-person appeal in the past.
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