What is a Financial Aid Appeal?

When a student has not met the criteria for financial aid either due to number of credits completed, low GPA, or other violation, the Office of Financial Aid notifies them of suspended scholarship or aid. At this time, a student may choose to appeal the suspension due to extraordinary circumstances which led to not meeting the criteria for the funding or scholarship. Appeal applications are reviewed by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee (FAAC) .

The FAAC considers appeals from students seeing appeals for reinstatement of financial aid or academic scholarships offered at the university, state, or federal level. These appeals usually fall under one of two categories.

1. Satisfactory Academic Progress; or

2. Scholarship Award Appeals (e.g.: WUE, Achievement, Premier)

Step-by-step instructions to support creating a comprehensive Appeal Application are available below. Questions for the FAAC should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid.

When to prepare a Financial Aid Appeal

Appeals should be prepared after notice of a violation has been received from the Office of Financial Aid. Because of the dynamic nature of academic status, pre-approval of an anticipated scholarship or FA funding violations cannot be awarded. 

How to Prepare a Financial Aid Appeal

Detailed instructions below will help guide the process of preparing an appeal for financial aid.

  1. Consider the circumstances of your academic progress and your decision to continue. 
  2. Produce Appeal Application Materials.
    1. Complete and Print the SAP Cover Sheet.
    2. Prepare official letter addressing:
      1. Nature of extenuating circumstances leading to poor academic progress;
      2. How circumstances have been addressed and resolved.
      3. Plan for Academic Recovery. (If you are appealing suspension or applying to participate in Second Wind, you may submit the recovery plan generated through the NACOE Deans Office's process.)
    3. Attach supporting documentation verifying circumstances.
    4. Complete and attach the Financial Aid Plan of Study form.
    5. Submit completed appeal to the Office of Financial Aid Services.

  1. Determine the scholarship(s) being appealed for reinstatement and if the appeal should be submitted to the FAAC. 
    1. Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Award
    2. Achievement Award
    3. Premier Award
    4. Other MSU scholarships awards
  2. Determine the nature of the appeal (e.g.: below number of credits, below required GPA, expiration of scholarship).
  3. Prepare Appeal Application Materials.  
    1. Complete and Print the Financial Aid Scholarship Appeal Form. 
    2. Prepare official letter addressing:
      1. Nature of extenuating circumstances leading to poor academic progress;
      2. How circumstances have been addressed and resolved.
      3. Plan for Academic Recovery. (If you are appealing suspension or applying to participate in Second Wind, you may submit the recovery plan generated through the NACOE Deans Office's process.)
    3. Attach supporting documentation verifying circumstances.
    4. Submit completed appeal to the Office of the Financial Aid Services.