Appeal of Financial Aid Suspension
Students have the right to appeal their suspension of financial aid if they have extenuating circumstances that prevented them from making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Extenuating circumstances are limited to 1) death or serious illness or injury to an immediate family member, 2) extended hospitalization or medical condition of the student, 3) victimization of a violent crime or natural disaster, 4) work related difficulties, and 5) other unexpected, documented situations. Lack of transportation to school, poor class performance, and pursuit of a double or dual major are not extenuating circumstances. The appeal must be specific, must be typed, and must address the student’s entire previous academic performance as well as how the circumstances have changed so that the student can meet SAP. The typed appeal must be attached to the Appeal of Financial Aid Suspension Form. The form may be obtained from the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships (OSFAS) or the Financial Aid section of the ECSU website. The appeal form must be submitted one week prior to the start of the semester in which the student plans to attend. Failure to adhere to this time line will result in the student losing the right to appeal the financial aid suspension. The SAP Appeals Committee will meet to review appeals at the beginning of each semester. The OSFAS will notify the student of the committee’s decision via campus email. Decisions will be available on Self-Serve Banner (SSB). The committee’s decision is final.
If approved, the student will be placed on financial aid probation status for the subsequent semester. While on financial aid probation, the OSFAS may require the student to maintain a specified percentage of semester course work and cumulative GPA, and to receive tutorial assistance. If any of the prescribed conditions are not met, eligibility will be denied. The student will be awarded based on funds available. Replacement of previously awarded funds is not guaranteed.
A student is expected to know the SAP policy. Students can review their SAP status on Banner after final grades have been processed. The OSFAS attempts to notify students when they are on financial aid suspension; however, sometimes students do not receive notification due to circumstances beyond the control of the OSFAS. If a student is not notified of the financial aid suspension, that does not excuse a student from the financial aid suspension, nor does it exempt a student from appealing in a timely manner.