Financial Aid Appeal Form 2024-2025

***This form is to be used by current admitted/enrolling new students for fall 2024 only. If you are a current RWU student, please visit this website for the Special Circumstance Form for Returning Students***

We appreciate that the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) may not present an accurate picture of your unique financial situation and resources available. This Special Circumstances Consideration form allows you to supplement your FAFSA information or document any financial circumstances that have changed or arisen since your FAFSA was filed. The RWU FA Appeals Committee will reevaluate your eligibility for additional federal, state or institutional aid in the context of the information you provide. Our financial aid staff may require further documentation and will work with your family to make sure you are receiving the fullest consideration for aid eligibility while adhering to federal, state, and institutional policies and guidelines.

Complete both pages of this form, attaching detailed documentation that best explains the nature of your situation. Keep in mind:
(1) The student must complete the FAFSA before the FA Appeals Committee can review this appeal.
(2) Filing this form does not guarantee an adjustment to your financial aid package.
(3) If your FAFSA was selected for federal verification, you must complete that process before your appeal is reviewed.
(4) Decisions of the Appeals Committee are final. Further appeals will be reviewed when newer information or circumstances arise.

Personal Information

Student's First Name

Student's Middle Name

Student's Last Name

Student's Birthdate

Student's Email Address

Special Circumstances for Consideration

INSTRUCTIONS: Please review and indicate below which circumstance applies to you. Check all that apply and provide as much supplemental material as possible. Information noted below as Required Documentation must be submitted with this form to avoid delays in our ability to make a timely appeal determination.

Merit Reconsideration

Yes

No

Students appealing a scholarship decision should provide new and compelling academic information that was not previously included in their applications, or extenuating personal circumstances, they feel warrant a change in the scholarship decision.

Please attach proof of new and compelling academic information

Loss of Employment

Yes

No

Dependent Students:
2023-2024 income earned by you or your parent(s) will be less than that earned in 2022

Independent Students:
2023-2024 income earned by you and/or your spouse will be less than that earned in 2022

Students appealing based on loss of employment, should upload the following documentation:

Last pay stub showing year-to-date earnings

Copy of termination notice from employer

Copy of the unemployment benefit notice

Other Loss of Income

Yes

No

Dependent Students:
You or your parent(s) received benefit in 2022 that have ceased or been reduced in 2023 or 2024

Independent Students:
You and/or spouse received benefits in 2022 that have ceased or been reduced in 2023 or 2024

Students appealing based on loss of income, should upload the following documentation:

Original 2022 benefit statement listing total amount received

Revised benefit statement listing updated amount to receive and effective date

Separation or Divorce

Yes

No

Dependent Students:
Your parents separated or divorced AFTER filing the FAFSA, but not later than 12/31/24

Independent Students:
You and your spouse separated or divorced AFTER filing the FAFSA, but not later than 12/31/24

Students appealing based on loss of separation or divorce, should upload the following documentation:

Divorce decree or legal separation agreement

Death of Parent or Spouse

Yes

No

Dependent Students:
A parent has died AFTER filing the FAFSA

Independent Students:
Your spouse has died AFTER filing the FAFSA

Students appealing based on loss of death of parent or spouse, should upload the following documentation:

Copy of the death certificate

Medical/Dental Expense

Yes

No

Dependent Students:
Paid 2022 medical and/or dental expenses by you or your parent(s) were over 7.5% of your AGI

Independent Students:
Paid 2022 medical expenses by your or your spouse were over 7.5% of your AGI

Students appealing based on medical and/or dental, should upload the following documentation:

Proof all paid out-of-pocket expenses for 2022

Do you have another consideration you would like to provide us with?

Yes

No

Please upload a statement explaining your other consideration letter here or provide an explanation in the Explanation of Special Circumstances section below.

Please detail your other circumstances that have not been defined on this sheet this far (examples include: private secondary school expenses for younger siblings, care costs for elderly parents).

I'd like to upload additional document(s)

Document #2 (optional)

Document #3 (optional)

Document #4 (optional)

Document #5 (optional)

Projected Income and Benefits

INSTRUCTIONS: You must provide the following information, including the best estimate of the changes in the financial situation for yourself and/or your parent(s) for one of the time periods indicated below.

Please check the tax year for which your estimated income is being provided

2023 (1/1/2023 through 12/31/2023)

2024 (1/1/2023 through 12/31/2024)

Please check off whose estimated income is being provided

Student

Father/Stepfather

Mother/Stepmother

Student's Spouse

Please provide the student's estimated income for the tax year selected:

Student's Wages, Tips, Salary

Student's Interest and/or Dividend Income

Student's Unemployment Compensation

Student's Worker's Compensation

Student's Pensions and/or Annuities

Student's Severance Pay

Student's Retirement Benefits

Student's Disability Benefits (taxable)

Student's Social Security Benefits (taxable)

Student's Child Support (independent students only)

Student's Alimony (independent students only)

Please provide the father/stepfather's estimated income for the tax year selected:

Father/Stepfather's Wages, Tips, Salary

Father/Stepfather's Interest and/or Dividend Income

Father/Stepfather's Unemployment Compensation

Father/Stepfather's Worker's Compensation

Father/Stepfather's Pensions and/or Annuities

Father/Stepfather's Severance Pay

Father/Stepfather's Retirement Benefits

Father/Stepfather's Disability Benefits (taxable)

Father/Stepfather's Social Security Benefits (taxable)

Father/Stepfather's Child Support

Father/Stepfather's Alimony

Please provide the mother/stepmother's estimated income for the tax year selected:

Mother/Stepmother's Wages, Tips, Salary

Mother/Stepmother's Interest and/or Dividend Income

Mother/Stepmother's Unemployment Compensation

Mother/Stepmother's Worker's Compensation

Mother/ Stepmother's Pensions and/or Annuities

Mother/Stepmother's Severance Pay

Mother/Stepmother's Retirement Benefits

Mother/Stepmother's Disability Benefits (taxable)

Mother/Stepmother's Social Security Benefits (taxable)

Mother/Stepmother's Child Support

Mother/Stepmother's Alimony

Please provide the student's spouse's estimated income for the tax year selected:

Student's Spouse's Wages, Tips, Salary

Student's Spouse's Interest and/or Dividend Income

Student's Spouse's Unemployment Compensation

Student's Spouse's Worker's Compensation

Student's Spouse's Pensions and/or Annuities

Student's Spouse's Severance Pay

Student's Spouse's Retirement Pay

Student's Spouse's Disability Benefits (taxable)

Student's Spouse's Social Security Benefits (taxable)

Student's Spouse's Child Support

Student's Spouse's Alimony

Additional Information

INSTRUCTIONS: Provide us with a brief statement detailing the specifics of your circumstances and provide any pertinent information that will helps us better understand you and your particular situation.*

Signed Statement of Certification

I certify that the information provided here is correct to the best of my knowledge and that I have attached all appropriate documentation. I understand that the factors in determining a family’s contribution are based on laws and guidelines by the Federal Government and the University. I understand these guidelines are the same for all who are in similar economic situations. Furthermore, I understand that submission of my appeal does not automatically qualify me for an increase in funds. All persons providing information must sign below.

Student's Signature

Parent's Signature

Student's Spouse's Signature

Date

The Appeals Committee will begin reviewing your submission once we receive your students Mid-Year Senior Grades. If we need any further documents in support of your appeal, your counselor will be in touch with you.