Appeals
If changes in your family’s financial circumstances are impacting your ability to manage college costs, we encourage you to submit an appeal. More information about the appeal process and required documentation can be found below.
How to Submit an Appeal
To submit an appeal for additional aid, submit the completed and signed Appeal Form, along with all relevant supporting documentation. Any supplemental forms you may need to complete, such as the Asset Statement or the Income and Expense statement, can be found on our Forms and Resources page under “Other Forms.”
If you’ve already submitted an appeal with documentation and need to submit additional documentation, please use our supplemental form. Be sure to include your full name and date of birth on all pages of materials you submit.
Once we receive your appeal, we will review it and respond as quickly as possible, generally within 5-10 business days. If we need more information in order to process your appeal, your financial aid adviser will reach out, so be sure to keep an eye on your email.
If your appeal is approved, it could result in an adjustment to your federal and/or institutional aid.
Factors We Consider
Income Changes
Families often request reconsideration due to a decrease in income. For example, if your parent(s)’ 2022 reported income on the FAFSA and CSS Profile may exceed their current income due to a job loss or other circumstances, we would request that you submit the following:
- An appeal form
- 2023 federal 1040 tax return(s) with all schedules
- 2023 W2 form(s)
If applicable, we would also request that you submit the following:
- Termination notice or signed letter of explanation from employer (on company letterhead)
- Severance documentation
- Unemployment benefits documentation
Appeals based on changes in income are most often approved after the end of the calendar year in which the change took place. For example, if your father lost his job in October of 2023, we’ll be most likely to make a decision on your appeal starting in January of 2024. If you submit an appeal before then, we will review it, but may not be able to offer assistance until the year has ended.
Unreimbursed Medical Expenses
Student Financial Support will consider appeals due to unreimbursed medical expenses within the student’s immediate family (Note: If the medical expenses are student-specific, refer to the budget adjustment request process). Please submit:
- An appeal form
- Medical bill(s) confirming payment (exclude amount covered by insurance)
- Itemized bills tallied for total expenses paid
Medical expenses are most likely to impact aid eligibility when they exceed 10% of total household income.
Death or Disability of a Parent
If a parent has recently died or become disabled, we know this is a difficult time for your family, and we want to make the process of submitting an appeal as simple as possible. You are welcome to make an appointment with your financial aid adviser to discuss your personal situation, or you can simply submit the appeal form, along with:
- Death certificate, if available, or verification of disability status
- Verification of social security benefits received by any family members
- Any inheritance or life insurance documentation
Other Factors
If your family’s situation does not fit into any of the categories above, you may still submit an appeal. When you submit the form, please be sure to include a detailed written description of the factors impacting your family’s ability to contribute to your educational expenses, and include any documentation you have available.
All situations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. However, we cannot consider requests based on discretionary expenses (travel, hobbies, leisure, etc.), or situations that have not yet occurred (a future change in employment, etc.).