Appeals

Special Circumstance - SAI Appeal 

Completing an SAI Appeal is the process which allows students/families to address income changes in the current calendar year versus the prior year. The income change may result in a revision to the SAI (Student Aid Index), formerly known as EFC (Expected Family Contribution). In some cases may warrant eligibility changes in Subsidized Loans or in extreme cases Pell Grant eligibility. 

Requests for professional judgment review are made by contacting the Financial Aid Office at finaid@csueastbay.edu.  You may also visit us at the first floor of the Student Services and Administration Building or call us at 510-885-2784.  Additionally, Financial Aid staff may request a review on the student’s behalf at their request. Initial requests are reviewed by responsible financial aid staff members and based on the nature of the request, additional documentation and requirements will be requested of the student to submit through Campus Logic for review. Once the request and subsequent documentation requests have been completed, a financial aid counselor or member of Financial Aid Office management staff will review the request and render their decision. Any professional judgment decisions made by CSUEB staff members are final and cannot be appealed to the U.S. Department of Education (ED).

Please do not wait to reach out to us if you would like to be considered for an Appeal. The Department of Education requires our office to process all aid (including those resulting from appeals) by the last day of the semester that you are enrolled. To ensure that we are meeting Federal Guidelines, please contact us with your request no later than one month prior to the last day of the semester that you are currently enrolled.

Changes in special circumstances that would qualify for review are:

  • Layoff/Unemployment
  • Disability
  • Retirement
  • Death
  • Divorce/Separation
  • Out of pocket medical costs not covered by insurance from between January and December of the prior calendar year. Expenses must not exceed medical expenses as allowed by financial aid regulations.
  • Change in the number of family members in the household whom you or your parents provide more than 50% support.
If a student requests an SAI Appeal review and has not previously completed verification, they may be required to do so prior to consideration of their appeal in order to ensure the accuracy of current financial data provide during the financial aid application process. If applicable, the following documentation will be required based on circumstance:
  • Anticipated income for the remaining months of the current year
  • Three (3) most current pay stubs 
  • Complete tax return and Income Statements or W-2(s)
  • If laid off, letter of termination from employer and copy of final pay stub
  • Notice of unemployment insurance award
  • Disability benefits eligibility letter
  • Retirement benefits statement
  • Death Certificate
  • Any information about income from death (i.e., life insurance, death benefits, pension plans)
  • Divorce decree or statement of separation
  • Agency verification of loss or reduction of benefits
  • Court/legal documentation (child/spousal support) verifying date support ends
  • Out-of-pocket medical expenses not covered by insurance (Expenses must not exceed medical expenses as allowed by financial aid regulations).
    •  Receipts and/or billing statements from medical provider(s) that the family or student has paid out of pocket. Past due or unpaid bills are not accepted.
    • Itemized statement from insurance company documenting costs not covered by insurance.

Please note that if it is determined that granting a professional judgment request will not make a change or will negatively impact the student it will be denied and no changes will be made.

 

Special Circumstance - Cost of Attendance (COA) Appeal 

The Cost of Attendance Appeal can be used if you believe the Cost of Attendance used in determining your financial aid was not sufficient to cover your actual expenses during the academic year. Award increases for approved Cost of Attendance Appeals will usually be in the form of additional loan eligibility.

Students who have dependent children are eligible for an increased budget to cover additional family expenses.

Examples of Allowable Expenses:

Housing costs that exceed the basic student budget for reasonable, justified living accommodations are acceptable. However, you are expected to seek housing within the budgeted housing allowance. If you have roommates, your costs will be divided by the number of roommates. Acceptable additions to this category include: 

Housing and Food Expenses:

  • Excess rent: a copy of your lease agreement
  • Homeowner's or renter's insurance premiums: proof of payment, copy of the policy
  • Proof of payment: receipts, billing statements for three months for:
    • Basic PG&E/Utilities
    • Basic telephone costs
    • Basic internet costs

MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND OPTICAL 

A medical, dental, and optical allowance for expenses not covered by insurance is included in the “Personal Expenses” category of the basic budget. Appropriate documentation for additional projected expenses or expenses that occur during the academic year include: 

  • Healthcare provider's billing statements showing cost, date of treatment, and the amount paid
  • Copy of insurance policy (for student's premium cost)
  • Proof of payment by student or parent

Projected expenses that occur during the academic year will be considered when you present a signed healthcare provider’s statement, written on letterhead, indicating: 

  • Treatment required
  • Cost
  • Scheduled date of treatment
REQUIRED EDUCATIONAL COSTS (Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment)

In addition to the basic “Books and Supplies” category of the student expense budget, acceptable additions include: 

  • Required reference texts
  • Required special equipment/supplies
  • Required research costs
  • Computer Purchase

Transportation Costs

The basic student expense budget covers the moderate cost of public transportation for incidental travel to and from your parents’ or your home. Transportation costs must be educationally related. Acceptable additional expenses may include: 

  • Transportation costs required by an academic program, unusual medical condition, or other reasons directly related to educational needs (supporting statements from an academic advisor may be requested)
  • Costs of commuting to CSUEB from your home (on/off campus), place of work, or visiting family or commuting to work/internship. Be sure to include:
    • Estimated mileage per trip (indicate whether one-way or round trip)
    • List starting and ending addresses
    • Number of trips and total mileage
  • Cost of car insurance for the student that exceeds the current budget allotment
  • Receipts for travel expenses associated with your education

Study Abroad Expenses:

An allowance for reasonable costs, as determined by the institution, for a student in a study abroad program approved for credit by the home institution.

Cooperative Education Costs:

An allowance for reasonable costs, as determined by the institution, associated with such employment for a student engaged in a work experience under a cooperative education program.

Dependent Care:

An allowance based on the estimated actual expenses incurred for dependent care, based on the number and age of such dependents. Such allowance must not exceed the reasonable cost in the community in which such student resides for the kind of care provided; and the period for which dependent care is required includes but is not limited to, class time, study-time, fieldwork, internships, and commuting time.

Disability-Related Expenses:

An allowance, as determined by the institution, for expenses associated with a student’s disability, including special services, personal assistance, transportation, equipment, and supplies that are reasonably incurred and not provided for by other agencies.

Federal Student Loan Fees:

An allowance for the cost of any Federal student loan fee, origination fee, or insurance premium charged to the student or the parent of the student. The allowance may be actual or average costs, as appropriate; and may not include the cost associated with non-Federal loans.

Professional licensure, certification, or a first professional credential:

An allowance for the costs associated with obtaining a license, certification, or a first professional credential, for a student in a program that prepares them to enter a profession that requires such a qualification.

Examples of Expenses Not Allowed

  • Cable bill
  • Credit card debt
  • Car payments
  • Purchase or lease of a vehicle
  • Trips for entertainment purposes

Requests for Cost of Attendance appeal review are made by contacting the Financial Aid Office.

Please do not wait to reach out to us if you would like to be considered for an Appeal. The Department of Education requires our office to process all aid (including those resulting from appeals) by the last day of the semester that you are enrolled. To ensure that we are meeting Federal Guidelines, please contact us with your request no later than one month prior to the last day of the semester that you are currently enrolled.