Re-Establishing Financial Aid Eligibility/Appeals
Students must pay out of pocket or secure alternative financing for their course work until they meet SAP standards and are back in good standing.
SAP Appeals
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Students may file an appeal to re-establish their aid eligibility if they have experienced extenuating circumstances. In general, extenuating circumstances may include, but are not limited to:
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illness of the student or family member;
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need to become a caregiver or first responder;
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economic hardship;
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added work hours;
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loss of childcare;
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inability to continue with classes via distance education; and
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inability to access wi-fi due to closed facilities.
If the appeal is approved, the student’s aid eligibility is reestablished. To submit an appeal, the student must:
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Submit a letter of appeal to the OFA at: financialaid@paloaltou.edu with the subject line “Letter of Appeal”.
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Explain in writing how the situation has changed to allow the student to meet the minimum requirements by the end of the next quarter.
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Submit supporting documentation that demonstrates what contributed to the student’s inability to meet the minimum standards of academic progress. Supporting documentation or supporting statements are detailed statements from someone familiar with those circumstances described in the appeal. Statements from doctors, counselors, teachers, advisors, etc. are acceptable. Statements from roommates, family members, and/or friends are usually inadequate for an appeal.
In addition:
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Students who will require more than one quarter to meet the progress standards must submit an approved academic plan developed in conjunction with their academic advisor. The academic plan must clearly outline the full time it will take the student to meet the minimum SAP standards and bring the student back into good standing.
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Students who have exceeded the maximum time-frame to complete their program must submit an appeal along with an approved academic plan that clearly outlines the time it will take to complete their program.