Students who fail to meet SAP requirements because of documented extenuating circumstances can submit a SAP Appeal for consideration.
To submit an appeal, the student must:
- Complete the SAP Appeal Form assigned in the Financial Aid Checklist.
- Provide acceptable supporting documentation.
- Complete all required sections of the appeal form.
Submission of an appeal does not guarantee approval or reinstatement of federal financial aid eligibility.
Examples of Extenuating Circumstances
Examples of circumstances that may be considered include:
- Death of an immediate family member or loved one
- Serious illness or injury of the student or an immediate family member
- Mental health conditions diagnosed by a licensed healthcare professional
- Divorce or other significant legal matters
- Significant disruption caused by a natural disaster
- Other documented circumstances beyond the student's control
2. Examples of Circumstances That Generally Will Not Be Considered
Examples include:
- Difficulty adjusting to college, campus life, teaching styles, or online learning
- Poor time management (such as enrolling in more courses than can reasonably be managed)
- Medical or mental health concerns that have not been diagnosed by a licensed healthcare provider
3. Required Supporting Documentation
Supporting documentation must be submitted to verify the unique circumstances experienced during the specific semester(s) in which the student was unable to maintain SAP.
Documentation should clearly support the circumstances described in the appeal and demonstrate how those circumstances affected the student's academic performance.
4. Student Statement
As part of the appeal, the student must:
- Explain the circumstances that prevented them from meeting SAP requirements.
- Describe how those circumstances have been resolved or improved.
- Outline the steps they will take to improve their academic performance and maintain SAP in future semesters
Appeal Decisions
SAP appeals are reviewed individually by the Office of Financial Aid. Students will be notified of the appeal decision through their university email. If approved, the student may be placed on Financial Aid Probation and may be required to follow an academic plan to maintain continued eligibility for federal financial aid. If denied, the student will remain ineligible for federal financial aid until SAP requirements are met.