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Financial Aid at Gloucester

Special Conditions Appeal

Students and families who are experiencing economic hardship may apply for a reduction of income through the Special Conditions appeal. Students may elect to appeal their eligibility for federal and state aid resulting from an involuntary reduction of income during the recent tax years. The purpose of this process is to show a more accurate picture of the family's circumstances at present.

Reasons for Special Conditions

  • Involuntary job loss

  • Death of wage earner

  • Marital separation or divorce

  • Medical issues and/or bills


Appeal Requirements

Comprehensive instructions are included on the Special Conditions appeal cover letter. This can be obtained in person at the Office of Financial Aid. All paperwork must be submitted to Financial Aid at one time as a single organized file.

  1. Verification documents

  2. Special Conditions appeal cover letter. Note the date when the circumstance began on it.

  3. Detailed statement explaining the situation or reason for the reduction of income. (Only involuntary job loss will be considered.)

  4. Supporting documentation for the appeal. Appeals submitted without documentation will be denied.

    • Involuntary job loss — termination letter or lay-off notice, proof of unemployment

    • Death of wage earner — copy of death certificate

    • Marital separation — utility bills no more than 30 days old, copy of lease, separate pay stubs with different addresses

    • Divorce — copy of the finalized divorce decree

    • Medical — all medical bills, Workmen's Compensation statements, Social Security disability statements 

  5. Verification worksheet

  6. Tax return transcripts, tax schedules (C, E, K) and all accompanying W-2s 

  7. Documentation of any untaxed income (i.e., child support received, SSI/SSD, TANF)

  8. Documentation of your projected income for the​ year (last pay stubs, unemployment letter of determination, copy of severance pay, SSI/SSD, Workmen's Compensation determination)

 

How it Works

  1. Students must complete the FAFSA​ and verification process before submitting an appeal. ​​

  2. Student file will first be verified according to FSA guidelines.

  3. Appeal will be reviewed by an administrator.  

  4. Approval or denial letter will be mailed to student's home address.

  5. If approved the reduction of income will be processed:

    • This will result in a new Student Aid Report (SAR) being sent to the student. It will include his/her revised eligibility.

    • The financial aid will be packaged to the student's account; check the "Financial Aid Awards" portion of the Portal.

  6. If denied the student must find an alternative means of paying the term bill.


Denied Appeals

Students whose appeals are denied will be packaged for federal and state aid according to their initial eligibility. If this is not enough to cover the term bill, the student must use an alternative method of payment. Potential options may include the RCSJ P​ayment Plan, Sallie Mae Smart Loan or Wells Fargo Collegiate Loan. 

Note: This is not a complete list; it's meant to provide examples of alternative financing. Students who plan on borrowing a loan from a private financial institution are strongly encouraged to first research the interest rates and repayment requirements.​

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