If your family experiences changes in their financial circumstances, let us know.
We recognize that families occasionally experience changes in income and/or resources during the application process and/or the academic year. An appeal should be submitted when a family can document a significant change in financial circumstances, or if they believe there are special circumstances that were not included or considered in theirÌýinitial aid application. Although the following lists are not exhaustive, we hope you find them helpful.
- Examples of Circumstances Considered
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Recent unemployment of a family member or independent student, or other circumstances
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Non-recurring income or one-time payment that created an unusual increase in income for the base year
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Death of parent or student's spouse
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Loss of untaxed income (social security, pension, etc.)
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Unusual medical or dental bills not covered by insurance, co-insurance or FSA/HSA type cafeteria plans
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Documentation of annual secondary private school tuition for younger siblings
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Late financial aid applications,ÌýifÌýunforeseen and documented circumstances caused the studentÌýto miss the published deadline
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- Examples of Circumstances Not Considered
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Higher living expenses experienced by the family. (Please note that our need-analysis already includes cost of living adjustment [COLA]Ìýbased on data from the Consumer Expenditure Survey by Metropolitan Statistical Areas as determined by the US Department of Labor.)
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Purchasing discretionary items such as a car, home appliances, weddings, vacations, second homes
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Reduction in the value of assets
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Credit issues, line of credit changes, etc.
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Costs associated with parents who are also attending college. (Siblings are already taken into account on the FAFSA and in the calculation of eligibility.)
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Changes in financial circumstances for international students
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- How to Appeal
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Submit a , along with copies of appropriate supporting documentation through your IDOC portal.ÌýÌýMake sure your OXY ID number appears on each supporting document. You will be contacted if additional documentation is required.ÌýÌý
Appeal Funding
Re-evaluation of your financial aid eligibilityÌýis subject to federal, stateÌýand university regulations, and is based on:
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Availability of funds
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Timeliness of your original application for financial aid
- Timeliness of your appeal and the nature of the change in circumstances
Notification
We will notify you of our decision or if we require additional information or documentation.
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- Cost of Attendance Appeals
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The estimatedÌýcostÌýofÌýattendanceÌý
used to determine your financial aid eligibilityÌýincludes standard amounts for tuitionÌýand mandatory fees as well as amounts for housing and food. Also included are various indirect costs such as personal expenses, booksÌýand supplies.Ìý If your actual educational expenses are higher than your current budget, you may be eligible for a budget increase. Budget increases are considered on a case-by-case basis, based on the presentation of the appropriate documentation. Budget increases are limited by both federal regulation and collegeÌýpolicy. If approved, budget increases are funded with federal direct loans (subsidized, unsubsidizedÌýand parent PLUS) or non-federal loans. If you have an outside agency scholarship, a budget increase may also be approved with appropriateÌýdocumentation to preserve other awards in your financial aid package.Ìý
- Changes for Periods of Non-Enrollment
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Adjustments to the estimated cost of attendance cannot be made for expenses incurred during periods of non-enrollment (e.g.Ìýsummer, spring break, during leaves of absence). Adjustments to the estimated cost of attendance cannot be made for household expenses incurred by the family while the student isÌýat school.
- Required Documentation
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Type of Appeal Required Documentation Medical, dental and vision -
Receipts, account statements or bills that clearly identify medical, dental or vision services and the amounts and dates of payments for the current calendar year, with the amounts circled
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or Schedule A from your last federal tax return, showing the itemized medical, dental or vision expenses
Sibling(s) elementary/secondary tuition -
Payments made for the current academic year only, in the form of receipts or paid bills. Subtract out any financial aid or tuition benefits received, as well as charges for voluntary activities not required by the school
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Only includeÌýpayments for siblings of the student applying to аIJʿª½±
Parent educational loans -
Transaction history from the loan servicer showing all payments made during the calendar year, with borrower's name clearly visible
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or bank or credit card statements that clearlyÌýshow payments made during that calendar year
Income loss due to layoff, termination, furlough or involuntary reduction in hours -
Copy of federal tax return and W-2(s) for the current calendar year
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Estimate of total income expected for the current calendar year, including unemployment benefits anticipated (if applicable)
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Copy of signed letter on company letterhead stating the reason for layoff, termination or furlough, last date of employment, and any severance, bonus, vacationÌýor other payouts provided
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Copy of most recent pay stub (if employed) or a letter from the most recent employer identifying employee's annual salary
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Copy of unemployment benefit statement (if applicable)Ìýthat shows the full amount of benefit eligibility and benefit start date
- Copy of the final, dated paystub (if applicable) prior to the layoff, termination, furlough or reduction of hours, showing year-to-date earnings and the employee's name
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