Need-Based Aid Appeal

1. Submit the Need-Based Aid Appeal Form: In the form, you will be able to provide a statement of your circumstances. Please make sure to include an explanation of how you are currently financing your education and how your extenuating circumstances have changed your ability to pay for your tuition and fees.
2. Provide your supporting documentation: Supporting documentation of your extenuating financial circumstance is required. Applications that do not have proper documentation will be denied. You can submit the supporting documentation in the appeal form.
3. Submit your appeal by the deadline. The Fall semester deadline is in September, and the Spring semester deadline is in February. Click here to access the appeal form.
4. Expect to hear from our office by the date we indicated in the application.

• You or your spouse’s loss or reduction of income, including but not limited to loss of employment, reduction of pay, death of a spouse, and reduction/loss of child support
• Divorce or separation 
• High medical and/or dental expenses paid out of pocket for you, your spouse, or individuals that you financially support for more than 50%
• Impacted by a natural disaster
• Denied federal and/or private student loans

• Your parents’ loss or reduction of income
• Leaving your job to attend Law School
• Changes to assets or inability to liquidate assets 
• Loss of overtime or bonus 
• Bankruptcy, foreclosures, or collection costs associated with outstanding debts 
• Consumer debt (credit cards, car payments, loans, etc.)
• Lottery or gambling winnings or losses 
• One-time income used for non-life essential items (e.g., family vacation) 
• Requests to negotiate an aid offer based on offers received at other institutions
• Voluntary decisions not to borrow or accept available student loans to finance your education

Reduction or Loss of Employment or Benefits

• Signed copy of your and your spouse’s most recent Federal tax return or a copy of you and your spouse’s most recent W-2s if you were not required to file.
• Copy of a termination letter of employment or other benefits, including verification of any severance pay 
• Copy of year-to-date earnings (e.g., last paycheck stub), unemployment statements, disability benefit statement 
• Change in Marital Status: Proof of separation, such as a signed formal or informal separation agreement, a divorce decree, or a death certificate

Reduction or Loss of Untaxed Income (child support, untaxed portions of IRS or pension distributions [rollovers], or other untaxed income. 

• Verification of a rollover (1099-R) or other documentation indicating the start and end date of benefits

Out-of-pocket medical expenses or tax liens

• Statement from the insurance provider or estimated out-of-pocket expenses that will be incurred from July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026. 
• Statement from the IRS and/or State Franchise Tax Board indicating current monthly payment amounts on back taxes 

Expenses Related to a Natural Disaster 

• Copies of insurance policies, which may include home, rental property, car, and/or business that document deductibles or unreimbursed expenses, FEMA application, detailed contractor quotes, invoices, and/or receipts

Denied Federal and/or Private Student Loans

• Loan Application Summary: A copy of the completed loan application showing the requested loan amount and terms, alongside the corresponding denial statement.
• Adverse Credit History / Denial Notice: A formal letter or email notice from the lender (e.g., Federal Student Aid/Direct Loans or a private lender like Sallie Mae, Discover, SoFi) explicitly stating that the loan application was denied due to adverse credit or not meeting credit requirements. 
• Credit Decision Letter: Official correspondence detailing the reasons for the credit denial or the requirement of a credit-worthy endorser/cosigner.

• Inability to Secure an Endorser / Cosigner:

  • Written Personal Statement: A signed statement detailing your efforts to secure an eligible endorser or cosigner and explaining why one cannot be obtained (e.g., lack of eligible family members or guarantors).

  • Lender Notice: Correspondence from the loan provider confirming that an endorser/cosigner is required for loan approval, or a denial notice for a submitted cosigner application.