Financial Aid Appeals
If changes in your or your family’s lives have impacted you financially, you may be eligible to submit a special circumstance appeal. On exception, The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid will review and consider changes to a student’s available aid based on the information provided.
How to File an Appeal
File Your FAFSA
If you have not done so already, file your FAFSA.
Complete Appeal Form
Determine if you qualify for one of the below types of financial aid appeals. Then, select and complete the appropriate appeal form from the Texas One Stop Forms page.
Submit Documents
Make sure that you submit any requested documents on the form. Failure to submit will result in the form being rejected, or in a delay in processing.
Get Assistance
Contact Texas One Stop if you have questions, or need assistance determining if you qualify for an appeal.
Types of Appeals
Reduction in income appeal
If your family has experienced one or more of the following situations, you may qualify for an adjustment to the information on your FAFSA. Making these types of adjustments may result in increased financial aid eligibility.
- Loss or reduction of income which may include, but not limited to furlough, unemployment, disability, or retirement
- Termination of benefits received or income such as child support, alimony, social security benefits
- Divorce or separation that occurred after the FAFSA was filed
- Death of a parent or spouse that occurred after the FAFSA was filed
Reduction in Income Appeal Form
Please note, if your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on your FAFSA currently shows $0, you have already been offered the maximum amount of financial aid available at The University of Texas. You should contact Texas Financial Wellness for a one-on-one appointment to see if any additional resources may be available.
Additional expenses appeal
If your family has experienced one or more of the following situations, you may qualify for an adjustment to the information on your FAFSA. Making these types of adjustments may result in increased financial aid eligibility.
- Exceptional medical and/or dental expenses incurred, not paid by insurance
- Expenses related to the student’s disability (e.g., specialized equipment, materials or services necessary to be successful in school)
- Childcare expenses paid
Additional Expenses Appeal Form
Please note, if your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on your FAFSA currently shows $0, you have already been offered the maximum amount of financial aid available at The University of Texas. You should contact Texas Financial Wellness for a one-on-one appointment to see if any additional resources may be available.
Cost of attendance appeals
The University of Texas establishes a Cost of Attendance (COA) each academic year, which includes the average amounts for standard educational expenses incurred by UT students during the academic year. Students may experience unforeseen expenses during an academic year that are not accounted for in the typical estimated cost of attendance.
Families can request an increase in their COA for one of the following reasons:
- Additional course-related expenses
- One-time purchase of computer
- Technology needed for coursework
- Childcare expenses
- Medical/dental expenses not covered by insurance
- Automobile expenses (repair, insurance, maintenance)
Housing costs above the estimated average in the COA
Dependency override appeal
Federal student aid programs are based on the concept that it is primarily your and your family’s responsibility to pay for your education. Dependent students are required to report parental information on the FAFSA; however, some student situations will require extra discretion in determining their ability to provide this information. Our office provides the opportunity for students to appeal their FAFSA Dependency Status by submitting documentation of their situation.
Students can request a Dependency Override for unusual circumstances that includes, but is not limited to the following:
- The student is unable to locate their parents
- Abandonment by parents
- An abusive family environment that threatens the student’s health or safety (physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, sexual orientation)
Please contact Texas One Stop if you have questions about revising your financial aid or which appeal form best fits your personal situation.