Financial Aid & Scholarship Office

Types of Appeals

Students and their families may face situations where the FAFSA or CADAA information does not accurately reflect their current ability to pay for college. Other students may have experienced extenuating circumstances that prevented them from meeting satisfactory academic progress. There are a variety of appeal options available to assist students in these situations. If one of these situations applies to you, click the link for instructions on how to submit an appeal. Please note: evaluation of your appeal may take up to 8 weeks. 

Special Circumstances

Students may qualify for a special circumstances appeal if, in the past two years, they or their parents experienced:

  • Significant reduction in income due to job loss, reduced hours or other circumstances
  • Change in student marital status
  • Childcare expenses or elementary/secondary school tuition
  • Financial support of extended family members
  • Loss of home or property due to fire or other disasters
  • More than one student in college within family
  • Substantial non-reimbursed medical, dental, and/or vision expenses
  • Substantial non-reimbursed travel or commuting expenses

Unusual Circumstances Dependency Status

Students may be eligible for an unusual circumstances dependency appeal if they experienced unusual circumstances such as homelessness, estrangement from parents, an abusive family situation, or incarceration of parents.

Cost of Attendance

Students may qualify for a cost of attendance appeal if they experience unplanned or higher costs, such as:

  • the purchase of a personal computer needed for school
  • living expenses (food and housing) beyond your estimated cost of attendance
  • auto repairs expenses for your vehicle
  • other expenses

Satisfactory Academic Progress

A students financial aid offer is contingent on maintaining satisfactory academic progress. If you are not meeting these SAP standards, you may be offered the option to appeal so that your financial aid can be re-offered to you.

Maximum Units

A students financial aid offer is contingent on maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Students are expected to complete a degree program within a maximum allowable timeframe. Undergraduates who have attempted 180 units, and post-baccalaureate students who have attempted 60 post-baccalaureate units are ineligible for all types of financial aid. If you have reached a unit limit, you may appeal so that your financial aid can be re-offered to you.