The Financial Aid Reconsideration Appeal

General Information

Due to varying circumstances, students and parents often find the information they provided on the FAFSA no longer realistically reflects their ability to provide the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).  When this happens, students may choose to submit a Financial Aid Reconsideration Appeal to our office requesting that their situation be reviewed and an adjustment be made.

An appeal will be reviewed by the Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid Professional Judgment Committee and the student will be notified six to eight weeks after submitting all requested documentation. For students attending in the Fall Term only, appeals must be submitted by November 1, 2008 and for students attending Fall and Spring Terms appeals must be submitted by April 1, 2009.  However, approval of an appeal does not guarantee receipt of additional aid.

Requirements for a Financial Aid Reconsideration Appeal

* In addition this paperwork, other documentation may be requested.

• A signed, detailed letter describing the reason for the appeal

• Quality Assurance Worksheet

Before a Financial Aid Reconsideration appeal can be processed, we must verify all current FAFSA data.  In order to do this, a signed Quality Assurance Worksheet complete with requested income/tax return documents must accompany the Financial Aid Reconsideration Form.  Once a reconsideration is requested, these documents must be provided, even if you choose not to pursue the appeal. 

Unless previously submitted, we must receive all Quality Assurance Documents at the time the appeal is submitted.  Failure to provide these documents will result in loss of previously awarded aid, or the student not receiving aid.

• A completed financial aid reconsideration form

• Other requested documents depending on the circumstances of the appeal

Please include the student’s name and Virginia Tech ID number on every page of documentation. 

Reasons for Submitting a Financial Aid Reconsideration Appeal

There are several legitimate reasons for submitting an appeal, however, reconsideration will not be given to circumstances including:

• High credit card debt
• Home mortgage or repairs
• High costs of living
• Stepparent refusing to contribute to the student’s education

Appeals submitted for the following reasons are legitimate circumstances for Financial Aid Reconsideration, if since completing the FAFSA:

• The student’s parent or spouse had died
• The student’s spouse paying on his or her own educational loan(s) that is not in deferment OR Parent paying on PLUS loan(s) or his or her educational loan(s) that is not in deferment (Voluntary payment of a student’s loan(s) by the parent will not be considered)
• The student’s family has incurred damage due to natural disasters
• The family has incurred extraordinary medical/dental expenses
• The student’s parent is attending college at least half-time in a degree-seeking program
• The student’s parent has retired
• The student or the student’s parents have separated or divorced
• The student’s or parent(s)’ income has been significantly reduced in 2008 (please wait eight weeks from loss of income before submitting an appeal on parent’s loss of income)
• The student or parent(s) no longer receives untaxed benefits such as Social Security, VA benefits, child support, or other sources of income
• The parent or student has received a one-time disbursement of funds (i.e. severance package, bonus, lottery winnings, etc)
• Extenuating circumstances have arisen

Listed on the Financial Aid Reconsideration Form are documents that should be included when submitting the appeal.  Do not submit appeals that do not include all requested documentation.