Financial Aid Appeals

1. Financial Aid Appeals Raven Sumner Financial Aid Counselor University of Nevada, Las Vegas

2. Types of Appeals • Satisfactory Academic Progress • Special Considerations • Cost of Attendance • Special Circumstances • Dependency Status

3. Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements: • 2.0 cumulative GPA for Undergraduate students • 3.0 cumulative GPA for Graduate students • Must successfully complete 70% of your classes attempted • Graduate within 186 credit hours first baccalaureate degree or 231 for second baccalaureate degree Satisfactory academic progress is monitored at the end of every semester. • Warning Semester: The semester after the first semester student did not meet SAP requirements. • Disqualification: The semester after second semester of not meeting SAP requirements. Student is no longer be eligible to receive financial aid assistance.

4. SAP Appeal Process A student whose financial aid was disqualified for not meeting the SAP requirements has the right to appeal mitigating circumstances to the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office. To initiate an appeal, a student must complete a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form available on the forms page. • Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals are reviewed by a committee comprised of financial aid counselors. • Individualized consideration is provided to students based upon his or her circumstances and supporting evidence provided within the appeal. • The committee’s decision is final and cannot be appealed to the U.S. Department of Education or other UNLV employee per federal financial aid regulations.

5. Satisfactory Academic Progress • Documentation of Extenuating Circumstance(s) • Documentation from Medical Provider • Death Certificate • Police Report • Demonstrate a reasonable effort was made during Warning semester to resolve SAP issue. • Resolution of the circumstances that led to Disqualification • Plan of Study that will led the student towards academic success

6. Special Consideration:Cost of Attendance • Process for students to document qualifying expenses above the standard Cost of Attendance budget to increase their budget only • Does not provide student with more financial aid funds if they have already reached their maximum limits • Expenses must be incurred during the academic year • Allowable expenses: • Limited Transportation • Study Abroad • Cooperative Education • Dependent Care • Disability • Personal Computer purchase (one time) • Professional Conferences • Professional memberships/subscriptions • Health insurance

7. Special Consideration:Cost of Attendance Documentation includes but may not be limited to: • Letter of Appeal by student explaining: • Why they are requesting a cost of attendance review; • Reason(s) they were unable to meet their current expenses and financial obligations; and • Any change in financial situation that has impacted their ability to meet the current expenses and other financial obligations. • Copies of official receipts or statements of expenses incurred • For transportation expenses, also need a copy of current vehicle registration

8. Special Consideration: Special Circumstances • Circumstances are measured by calendar year • For example, 2014-2015 FAFSA requires tax information from 2013 calendar year. Student can appeal changes in the 2014 calendar year for the 2014-2015 academic year. Changes that occur in 2015 calendar year affect 2015-2015 academic year. • Report a substantial change in income • Divorce/separation or death of spouse • Unusual expenses paid such as exceptionally high dental/medical expenses • Change in child support/alimony payments

9. Special Consideration: Special Circumstances Documentation can include but may not be limited to: • Letter explaining the details of the changes that occurred • Changes in income are documented by IRS Tax Return Transcript for the calendar year. (2014 tax return to change the 2014-2015 FAFSA) • Divorce decrees/Separation documentation • Death certificates • Receipts or bills of medical expenses • Must verify the FAFSA’s current information prior to make any changes

10. Special Considerations:Dependency Status How the dependency is determined by the FAFSA for 2014-2015: • Born before January 1, 1991 • Married as of the date of filing the FAFSA • Graduate or professional student • Veteran of Armed Forces or on active duty • Has children or other legal dependents who received 51% of support from applicant • Since age 13 was in foster care, ward of the court, or both parents deceased • Emancipated minor or in legal guardianship with someone other than their parents • Certified as Homeless, at risk, or unaccompanied youth by proper authorities

11. Special Considerations:Dependency Status Document extenuating circumstances such as, but not limited to: • Abusive family environment (sexual, physical, domestic violence) • Abandonment by parents • Incarceration or institutionalization of parents • Parents lacking the physical or mental capacity to raise the child • Parents hospitalization for an extended period

12. Special Considerations:Dependency Status Extenuating circumstances must be well documented • Police reports • Reports from social services office • Detailed letter by student stating the specific circumstances • Two detailed letters of support from knowledgeable sources • One of these letters MUST be from a professional, knowledgeable third party such as a counselor, minister, attorney, educator, doctor, or social worker. Must be on official letterhead. • Committee meets to carefully examine the documentation and render a decision

13. Questions? UNLV Financial Aid and Scholarships 702-895-3424 www.unlv.edu/finaid On Twitter: @UNLV_FinAidSch