How to Appeal a Financial Aid Decision
If your financial aid was suspended due to not meeting satisfactory academic progress or doesn’t reflect your current financial situation, or you want to be considered for Federal Work-Study, you may be able to appeal. Here’s what you need to know.
Types of Appeals
Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
- If you don’t meet SAP standards after spring, your federal aid gets suspended.
- Action: Review the SAP standards and appeal policy and, if applicable, submit a SAP Appeal Form online.
TAP Academic Progress and Pursuit Waiver (New York State Aid)
- Missed TAP progress and pursuit requirements due to extenuating circumstances?
- Action: File the TAP Waiver Dynamic Form and meet with a financial aid adviser.
Other Federal Aid Appeals
You can appeal if you have:
- Unusual Circumstances: Can’t provide parent info (e.g., abuse, abandonment, refugee status).
- Special Circumstances: Big change in income or expenses (e.g., job loss, medical bills).
- Homeless or At Risk and Unaccompanied: No stable housing or being asked to leave home and you are not with your parent(s).
- Parent FAFSA Refusal: Parents won’t give info or support (only unsubsidized loan allowed).
Federal Work-Study (FWS) Appeal
If you don’t have an FWS offer on your aid package you may be eligible to appeal to get an offer. See Step 2 – Check your Financial Aid Package of the FWS Student Process Guide
