Financial Aid Appeals Policy

Dominican University is aware that the COVID-19 pandemic may have dramatically changed you and your family’s financial circumstances. As a result, the 2020 income information that you provided on your 2022–2023 FAFSA may no longer be an accurate representation of your current financial situation. However, the federal government has used this information to determine your financial need for college this fall.

If there has been a significant change to your family’s financial circumstances, you can submit an appeal to the Office of Financial Aid to request a review of your eligibility for federal and/or state grants. Appealable circumstances may include the following reasons:

  • Termination
  • Layoff
  • Retirement
  • Loss of Unemployment Benefits
  • Injury or Illness
  • Disability
  • Excessive Medical Expenses
  • Death of a Spouse/Parent
  • Divorce
  • Loss of Child Support
  • One-Time Lump Sum Payment

To appeal, you will be required to submit an appeal form, a detailed explanation of your circumstance, and supporting documentation that illustrates your change in income. The Office of Financial Aid will review your information to determine if an adjustment to your FAFSA is warranted and will result in an increase of your eligibility for federal or state financial aid. Please note that incomplete appeals will not be reviewed and will be returned to you along with a request for additional information. 

Students who have a $0 expected family contribution are already receiving the maximum amount of federal and state aid so even if there has been a change in circumstance, they are not eligible for any additional federal or state grant assistance. If you are not sure if you have a $0 EFC, you can email appeals@dom.edu and ask to verify your EFC. You can also view your EFC on the Student Aid Report (SAR) you received when you completed the FAFSA.

Appealing for an Increased Cost of Attendance

Undergraduate and graduate students can also appeal for an increase in their cost of attendance. An increase in their cost of attendance may allow a student or parent to borrow more in federal or private loan funds (if all other eligibility requirements have been met). View the cost of attendance or reach out to appeals@dom.edu if you have questions about what your cost of attendance. 

Reasons for an appeal for an increase in cost of attendance may include additional technology expenses due to online classes, costs for care of dependents, or medical expenses.

How to Appeal

Students submitting an appeal for a change in circumstance, such as job loss, must complete the Review of Special Circumstances form and submit all documentation via secure transfer.

Students submitting an appeal for an increased cost of attendance must email appeals@dom.edu and attach any supporting documentation to their request. Documentation can be uploaded securely via secure transfer.

Timelines

We anticipate receiving a significant number of appeals so we ask for your patience as we review what is submitted.  Appeal decisions should be received within four weeks of a complete appeal submission. All appeals must include required statements and supporting documentation.

Important Deadline: Appeals for the fall semester should submitted by November 19 to ensure time for review. Appeals cannot be considered for students who are no longer enrolled.

Questions

Not sure if this applies to you? Reach out to us at appeals@dom.edu with questions.