Financial aid eligibility is calculated based on the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Income and asset information is evaluated using a formula called Federal Methodology as set by Congress. The formula assumes that previous year’s income, assets, and family size are good predictors of a family’s financial strength. Based on this assumption, financial aid eligibility is determined using previous year income information. However, the Department of Education gives Student Financial Services the authority to use Professional Judgment on a case by case basis to adjust elements in the federal need analysis to take into consideration a family’s special circumstances.

General Information

Student Financial Services awards need-based financial assistance to all students who have been determined eligible for financial aid. The University will not change the amount of its financial aid award simply to match the award offered by another university.

The Student Financial Services Appeal Committee will consider Appeals for Reconsideration only in the following cases, and only when the supporting documents listed below are submitted:

Loss of Employment

•	A letter from the employer on company letterhead detailing the employee's termination/ separation date, the reason for the separation, and amount of benefits they received.

•	A copy of the employee's year-to-date pay stub.
•	A denial of benefits letter from the employee's local Department of Labor.
•	A completed Estimated Income Form and copy of your 2006 Federal Tax Return.

Note: Unemployment must be for at least ten weeks before an Appeal will be considered.

Reduction in Employment

•	A letter from the employer on company letterhead providing details regarding the employee's reduction of income, the date the reduction began, and reason for the reduction.
•	A copy of the employee's year-to-date pay stub.
•	A completed Estimated Income Form and copy of your 2006 Federal Tax Return.
Note: Unemployment must be for at least ten weeks before an Appeal will be considered.

Loss of Untaxed Income or Benefits

Reduced Untaxed Income or Benefits

•	A copy of a letter from the appropriate state or federal agency that specifies the date that income or benefits were reduced.

Divorce or Separation

•	A copy of the divorce decree or separation agreement (preferably from a lawyer).
•	Documentation indicating that the divorced or separated parties have been living separately and have incurred their own living expenses(i.e., utility bills, lease, etc.).

Excessive Medical and Dental Expenses

•	A copy of the appropriate 2006 federal tax return with schedule A.
•	Medical or dental expense documents that indicate the amount not covered by insurance.

Death of Parent or Spouse

•	A copy of the death certificate or obituary.

Child Care for Dependent Children

•	A signed statement on agency letterhead from the childcare provider, stating the total cost of child care for a twelve-month period.

Roth IRA Contribution

•	A copy of the appropriate income tax return showing that an IRA was distributed.
•	A copy of IRS form 1099R indicating that a standard IRA was converted to a Roth IRA.

Parent Attending College

•	A Parent Educational Expense Form with supporting documentation.
•	A copy of a letter from the college or university offering the parent admission or a printout of the student record from the institution's Web site (the student's name and the name of the institution must print out on the document), or an official or unofficial transcript or certifying letter from the institution's registrar.
•	An official copy of the tuition charges for the term(s) of enrollment.
•	A letter from the parent's employer indicating that the educational expenses will not be reimbursed.

Independent and/or Graduate Student in the Household Size/Number in College

Disabled Student Expenses

•	A document from a physician or an appropriate agency specifying the individual's disability.
•	Expense documents, including receipts and statements regarding provided services.

Dependency Status Override

•	Verification of 2006 income.
•	Detailed letter explaining students family circumstances.
•	A detailed letter from a third party source familiar with your family circumstances. The source must be a teacher, minister, lawyer, physician, counselor, social worker or other professional who is willing to verify your circumstances .
•	Each source should explain:
Why they believe you should be considered independent.
How they know you and for how long.

The Student Financial Services Appeal Committee will NOT consider the following situations in a Appeal for Reconsideration:

•	Tuition benefits paid by the student or family for elementary or secondary private schooling
•	Business losses or shifts in commission sales
•	Unusual expenses related to personal living (e.g. wedding expenses, credit card bills, home mortgage, school loan payments, car payments, and other miscellaneous consumer item expenses.)
•	One-time bonus incomes such as lottery winnings, pension payments, legal awards, etc.
•	A reduction in overtime pay (this will be reflected on the following year's aid application).
•	Stock market losses
•	Bankruptcy
•	Retirement
•	Home equity, IRA, 403B and 401k loans