Financial Aid Appeal Form 2026-2027 for New StudentsLoading...***This form is to be used by current admitted/enrolling new students for Spring 2027 entry only. If you are a currently enrolled 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 InformationStudent's First NameStudent's Middle NameStudent's Last NameStudent's BirthdateStudent's BirthdateJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930312026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984198319821981198019791978197719761975197419731972197119701969196819671966196519641963196219611960195919581957195619551954195319521951195019491948194719461945194419431942194119401939193819371936193519341933193219311930192919281927192619251924192319221921192019191918191719161915191419131912191119101909190819071906190519041903190219011900Student's Email AddressPlease select from the following:I am looking to submit a special circumstance Financial Aid AppealI am an international student interested in the Greek Scholar AwardPlease provide a brief statement explaining how you meet the criteria for the Greek Award, along with any additional academic achievements or involvement that support your nomination.*Special Circumstances for ConsiderationINSTRUCTIONS: 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 ReconsiderationYesNoStudents 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 informationLoss of EmploymentYesNoDependent Students: 2025-2026 income earned by you or your parent(s) will be less than that earned in 2024 Independent Students: 2025-2026 income earned by you and/or your spouse will be less than that earned in 2024 Students appealing based on loss of employment, should upload the following documentation:Last pay stub showing year-to-date earningsCopy of termination notice from employerCopy of the unemployment benefit noticeOther Loss of IncomeYesNoDependent Students: You or your parent(s) received benefit in 2024 that have ceased or been reduced in 2025 or 2026 Independent Students: You and/or spouse received benefits in 2024 that have ceased or been reduced in 2025 or 2026 Students appealing based on loss of income, should upload the following documentation:Original 2024 benefit statement listing total amount receivedRevised benefit statement listing updated amount to receive and effective dateSeparation or DivorceYesNoDependent Students: Your parents separated or divorced AFTER filing the FAFSA, but not later than 12/31/26 Independent Students: You and your spouse separated or divorced AFTER filing the FAFSA, but not later than 12/31/26 Students appealing based on loss of separation or divorce, should upload the following documentation:Divorce decree or legal separation agreementDeath of Parent or SpouseYesNoDependent 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 certificateMedical/Dental ExpenseYesNoDependent Students: Paid 2024 medical and/or dental expenses by you or your parent(s) were over 7.5% of your AGI Independent Students: Paid 2024 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 2024Do you have another consideration you would like to provide us with?YesNoPlease 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 BenefitsINSTRUCTIONS: 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 provided2025 (1/1/2025 through 12/31/2025)2026 (1/1/2026 through 12/31/2026)Please check off whose estimated income is being providedStudentFather/StepfatherMother/StepmotherStudent's SpousePlease provide the student's estimated income for the tax year selected:Student's Wages, Tips, SalaryStudent's Interest and/or Dividend IncomeStudent's Unemployment CompensationStudent's Worker's CompensationStudent's Pensions and/or AnnuitiesStudent's Severance PayStudent's Retirement BenefitsStudent'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, SalaryFather/Stepfather's Interest and/or Dividend IncomeFather/Stepfather's Unemployment CompensationFather/Stepfather's Worker's CompensationFather/Stepfather's Pensions and/or AnnuitiesFather/Stepfather's Severance PayFather/Stepfather's Retirement BenefitsFather/Stepfather's Disability Benefits (taxable)Father/Stepfather's Social Security Benefits (taxable)Father/Stepfather's Child SupportFather/Stepfather's AlimonyPlease provide the mother/stepmother's estimated income for the tax year selected:Mother/Stepmother's Wages, Tips, SalaryMother/Stepmother's Interest and/or Dividend IncomeMother/Stepmother's Unemployment CompensationMother/Stepmother's Worker's CompensationMother/ Stepmother's Pensions and/or AnnuitiesMother/Stepmother's Severance PayMother/Stepmother's Retirement BenefitsMother/Stepmother's Disability Benefits (taxable)Mother/Stepmother's Social Security Benefits (taxable)Mother/Stepmother's Child SupportMother/Stepmother's AlimonyPlease provide the student's spouse's estimated income for the tax year selected: Student's Spouse's Wages, Tips, SalaryStudent's Spouse's Interest and/or Dividend IncomeStudent's Spouse's Unemployment CompensationStudent's Spouse's Worker's CompensationStudent's Spouse's Pensions and/or AnnuitiesStudent's Spouse's Severance PayStudent's Spouse's Retirement PayStudent's Spouse's Disability Benefits (taxable)Student's Spouse's Social Security Benefits (taxable)Student's Spouse's Child SupportStudent's Spouse's AlimonyAdditional InformationINSTRUCTIONS: 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 CertificationI 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 SignatureClick to Sign...Parent's SignatureClick to Sign...Student's Spouse's SignatureClick to Sign...DateDateJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303120002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025202620272028202920302031203220332034203520362037203820392040204120422043204420452046The 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.Submit
