Appeals

How to appeal a decision that affects your financial aid

There are several reasons you might want to file an appeal:

  • You’re classified as a dependent on your FAFSA but you feel you should be classified as independent
  • Special circumstances have significantly affected your financial situation since you filed your FAFSA or you can document expenses greater than your estimated cost of attendance
  • We’ve determined you are not making satisfactory academic progress
  • Your parents refuse to complete the FAFSA

Each type of appeal requires a different form and may require supporting documentation. Read the form carefully and be sure to submit all signatures, explanations, and documentation required.

If your family’s financial status has changed since you filed your FAFSA or if you had an expense that was not considered as part of the FAFSA, you may be able to file a special circumstance appeal. Appeals will be reviewed within 21 business days of receipt.

 

Cost of attendance (COA) change

Certain types of expenses can increase your COA. If you had any of the following expenses not accounted for when you filed your FAFSA, you may be able to have your COA increased:

  • Vehicle repair or mileage expenses
  • Computer purchase
  • Dependent care allowance
  • Professional licensure exams (graduate students only)
  • Other reasonable education-related expenses

Be aware that an increase in your COA won’t necessarily allow for an increase in the amount of financial aid you’re awarded. For example, if you’ve already been awarded the annual maximum in Federal Direct Loan funding, you won’t be eligible for an increase in this funding due to federal annual loan limits. However, you may be able to get a private loan or a Federal Direct Parent/Grad PLUS loan up to your new COA.

Other situations

If you feel you have a special circumstance that isn’t covered by the EFC or COA change, contact the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships for assistance.

2024-25 Student Aid Index (SAI) Change

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has shifted from the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to the Student Aid Index (SAI), with these changes taking effect for the 2024-2025 FAFSA. The SAI aims to more accurately reflect a family's ability to contribute toward college costs, considering factors like family size and additional tax benefits. Special circumstances that might affect a student's financial situation will still be considered, but using the SAI instead of the EFC. This change should make it easier for families to understand their financial aid eligibility, encouraging more students to apply for college support.

If you already have a SAI of zero or less, you shouldn’t submit an appeal for an SAI change since it cannot be decreased further.

Special circumstance appeal forms

Please contact the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships at finaid@iu.edu with questions or to request these forms in an accessible format.

2024-2025 aid year (fall 2024 – summer 2025)

If you don’t meet the federal criteria for independent status on your FAFSA but feel you have unusual circumstances that would qualify you, you can request a dependency override. If you were approved for an override during a previous aid year, request a renewal instead. Submitted requests will be reviewed within 15 business days of receipt.

Unusual circumstances that may qualify you include an abusive family environment or being abandoned by your parents.

The following do not count as circumstances that will qualify you for a dependency override:

  • Your parents refuse to contribute to your education
  • Your parents are unwilling to provide information on the FAFSA or for verification
  • Your parents don’t claim you as a dependent for income tax purposes
  • You demonstrate total self-sufficiency

Dependency override forms

Please contact the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships at finaid@iu.edu with questions or to request these forms in an accessible format.

2023-2024 aid year (fall 2023 – summer 2024)

2024-2025 aid year (fall 2024 – summer 2025)

All IU Fort Wayne students are required to make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) in an eligible degree or certificate program to be eligible for financial aid. Federal regulations require that your entire Indiana University academic record be reviewed for SAP, including semesters in which you did not apply for or receive financial aid.  Please visit our SAP website for more information. Submitted requests will be reviewed within 15 business days of receipt.

By going to the qualtrics form below you can submit an SAP Appeal Form.

SAP Appeal form

Federal regulation allows students who have parents that refuse to complete the FAFSA and refuse to provide support to the student to receive an unsubsidized Direct loan. These students will remain a dependent student for financial aid purposes. Submitted requests will be reviewed within 15 business days of receipt.

2023-2024 aid year (Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Summer 2024)

IUFW Parent Refusal Form

2024-2025 aid year (Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Summer 2025)

IUFW Parent Refusal Form

Other types of appeals

Academic progress appeal

You'll need to fill out an academic progress appeal form if you want to appeal our decision that you aren't making satisfactory academic progress (SAP).

Scholarship appeal

You'll need to fill out a scholarship appeal form if you want to appeal our decision that resulted in the revocation of your scholarship.

Learn more about financial aid