The formula to determine financial aid eligibility is standard for all FAFSA applicants. When there are unusual situations or circumstances that impact your federal student aid eligibility, federal regulations give a financial aid administrator discretion to use professional judgment on a case-by-case basis and with adequate documentation to make adjustments to your federal aid eligibility.
Filing a Dependency Override, Family Contribution or Cost of Attendance Appeal gives you, the student, an opportunity to explain changes to income, life circumstances or additional expenses that are not reflected on the FAFSA.
If a Professional Judgment appeal is approved, your financial aid may be updated, which could mean an increase in federal need-based aid.
We want to do all we can to take your particular circumstances into consideration. View the links below to learn how to bring your situation to our attention.
A student may appeal the loss of federal aid eligibility if they can document that extenuating circumstances caused the poor academic performance. Appeals are for unforeseen, extenuating circumstances and are not for ongoing medical issues or patterns of poor performance. Student may only submit one appeal in an academic year.
Students who are under the age of 24 and not married are required to provide parental data on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). They are referred to as dependent students. However, dependent students with unusual circumstances may appeal to the Office of Financial Aid for a dependency override. A dependency override would allow the student to be considered an independent student (for financial aid purposes only) and exempt the student from providing parental data on their FAFSA.
Dependency overrides often involve an involuntary dissolution of the family or situations in which it would be harmful for the student to have contact with their parents.
The following conditions may be considered for appeal:*
The following conditions generally may not be considered for appeal:*
*There are limitations to the circumstances the U.S. Department of Higher Education will allow financial aid professionals to consider for appeal. To remain equitable, our office will review all applications on a case-by-case basis.
To request and complete a Dependency Appeal (student instructions):
Sometimes the information provided on the FAFSA no longer accurately reflects your or your family’s financial situation for the academic year you, the student, are attending. There are certain circumstances where financial aid professionals at Nassau Community College can review and update your FAFSA.
There are limitations to the circumstances the U.S. Department of Higher Education will allow financial aid professionals to consider for appeal. To remain equitable, our office will review all applications on a case-by-case basis. Decisions are final and based upon the information provided.
Please note: If the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on the FAFSA is "0" the student is already receiving the maximum in federal grant aid.
The following conditions may be considered for appeal:
The following conditions generally may not be considered for appeal:
To request and complete an EFC/SAI Appeal (student instructions):
Once you have filled out the web form and uploaded your supporting third-party documentation, click the Submit button to submit your appeal.
Once all requested documentation is submitted, the student will receive an email notification of the outcome of the review within five to seven business days. Please note this time may be extended during peak processing times.
Cost of Attendance (COA) is the estimated full and reasonable cost of completing a full year of higher education. COA is not your actual charges, but rather an estimate of all possible education related expenses you may incur. The standard cost of attendance includes an average cost for housing (room and board), tuition and fees, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses.
If you have additional expenses which exceed the standard cost of attendance at NCC for the academic year, you may submit a Cost of Attendance appeal. A Cost of Attendance appeal is used to identify and request further loan funding.
These additional expenses may include, but are not limited to:
The following conditions generally may not be considered for appeal:
Instructions to request and complete a Cost of Attendance Appeal:
Make an Appointments with a Financial Aid Counselor
Financial Aid Counselors are for assisting students with determining how much in additional loan funds they may need.
Alternative/Private Loans
Federal Parent Loans (PLUS)
Note: There are limitations to the circumstances the U.S Department of Higher Education will allow financial aid professionals to consider for appeal. To remain equitable, our office will review all applications on a case-by-case basis.
Satisfactory Academic Progress standards for follows a different structure than that of the federal requirements.
There are three elements of satisfactory academic progress that all financial aid recipients must achieve in order to receive financial aid from the New York State sponsored Tuition Assistance Program (TAP):
Based on the number of TAP payments the student received;
TAP Satisfactory Academic Standing Waiver
After the end of each semester, TAP recipients who fall below the satisfactory academic progress standards can apply for a waiver. Such a waiver can only be granted once during the student's undergraduate career. Appeals are a one-time option for unforeseen, extenuating circumstances beyond the student's control and not chronic circumstances that cannot be remedied such as, but not limited to, ongoing medical issues.
Excelsior Scholarship Eligibility Determination (Appeals)
To receive your Excelsior award students must have been enrolled in at least 12 degree-bearing credits per term and have successfully completed at least 30 credits each year through continuous study with no break in enrollment. Students with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, are required to successfully complete all credits attempted each semester.
If a student has failed to meet the annual credit load or continuous enrollment requirement and who can demonstrate good cause may appeal the decision by completing an Excelsior Scholarship Eligibility Determination form.
Students with disabilities determined to be ineligible who can demonstrate good cause for completing fewer credits than attempted or a break in attendance may appeal the decision by completing an Excelsior Scholarship Eligibility Determination form.
The following 5 scenarios are the only allowable reasons that may be considered for retaining the scholarship:
1. I have/had a medical diagnosis that required that I leave school or attend less than full-time.
Note: the break in attendance or decrease in credits must coincide with dates from your physician/health care provider. Any additional documentation from physician/health care provider must be on official letterhead.
2. I took parental leave.
Note: the break in attendance or decrease in credits must be within one year of the newborn’s birth.
3. An immediate family member was ill or experienced a major medical issue and I was unable to continue full-time for the term/semester I am requesting the review.
Note: A family member is defined only as the student’s spouse, parent, stepparent, sibling, child or grandparent.
4. I was called to active military duty.
Note: the required Personal Statement must include dates of service/deployment.
5. Bereavement- Death of an immediate family member.
Note: An immediate family member is defined only as the student’s spouse, parent, stepparent, sibling, child or grandparent. The required personal statement must include the relationship to the student and the break in attendance or reduced credit completion must coincide with the date of death.
Read the form carefully, check the conditions that apply and be sure to include the requirements for the reason the student is appealing. Failure to do so will result in an automatic denial. The decision is final and no further appeal will be accepted.
One Education Drive, Garden City, New York 11530-6793 - 516.572.7501
¸Ű°Ä±¦µä A Part of the State University of New York System (SUNY)
Copyright ©¸Ű°Ä±¦µä
Top of page