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Cost of Attendance Appeal

Federal regulations stipulate that a student’s total annual financial aid, including loans and work study, not exceed a student's annual cost of attendance. However, if your education-related expenses exceed the current Cost of Attendance and you find yourself in need of additional funds, you can request a Cost of Attendance Appeal. This appeal is intended to increase the student's overall Cost of Attendance (i.e., budget) so the student may obtain additional loan funds to meet these education-related expenses. This appeal does not result in non-loan funding. The purpose of the appeal is to permit the student to borrow additional funds to meet these pandemic-related expenses. Examples of these expenses are increased childcare expenses, unexpected housing costs, etc. 

Cost of Attendance Appeals for 2022-2023 are available from July, 2022 - March 1, 2023.

The SFS Dashboard is primarily accessible to students who have filed the FAFSA. We encourage all eligible students to file, but if you are unable to file a FAFSA, please contact  with the subject line "COA Appeal - No FAFSA." A representative will reach out to you to discuss your next steps.

Steps for Initiating a Cost of Attendance Appeal

Students can request the appeal through our Dashboard using the following steps:

  • The student should log into the SFS Dashboard.
  • Click on the red 'Manage Requests' button in the upper right hand corner.
  • Click on the button for a 2022-2023 Cost of Attendance Appeal
  • Provide a brief description of the change
  • Complete and sign the embedded webform and submit all requested documentation.
Suggested Documentation

Increased Housing Costs

  • a copy of the current lease or mortgage showing all persons residing at the location and the amount of monthly rent

Books & Supplies

  • Confirmation of excessing costs or test requirements
  • Confirmation of textbook prices

Transportation/Travel

  • Proof of expenses - transportation passes, parking passes, etc.

Child Care

  • Current statements showing current monthly rates

Computer/Electronic Purchase

  • Receipt from purchase
Expenses Not Considered for Appeal

Housing:

  • The student's Cost of Attendance only covers nine (9) months' enrollment. We cannot include expenses for summer or other terms when the student is not enrolled.
    • Example: A student signed a 12-month lease in July but will graduate in December. We cannot include expense for January-July in the Fall Cost of Attendance.
  • If you live with roommates, your rent calculation will be divided between all persons residing in the apartment.

Transportation:

  • Federal regulations do not permit financial aid offices to include car payments in a student's Cost of Attendance. Car Insurance may be included, but not the cost of the car itself.
  • When public transportation is available, our office may not be able to include the costs of private transportation (Uber, Lyft, etc.).

Other Expenses:

  • This appeal cannot be used to increase a student's Cost of Attendance to include expenses related to the parents' household (such as home repairs), personal expenses (cell phone, entertainment, etc.), or other non-education-related expenses.