Get Help When Your Financial Situation Changes
Life doesn't always go according to plan. If your family's financial situation or educational expenses have changed since you submitted your FAFSA® or California Dream Act Application (CADAA), a financial aid appeal may help ensure your eligibility is based on your current circumstances.
A financial aid appeal gives you the opportunity to ask the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to review your situation.
While not every appeal is approved, every request is carefully reviewed based on your individual circumstances.
Which Financial Aid Appeal Do You Need?
Every student's situation is different. Review the appeal options below to find the one that best fits your circumstances.
Has your family's income changed since you submitted your FAFSA or CADAA? A Student Aid Index (SAI) Appeal may allow the Financial Aid Office to review your financial aid eligibility using your current financial situation.
You may want to explore this appeal if your family has experienced a significant change in income or another major financial change that wasn't reflected on your original application.
Please note that students with an SAI range of -1500 to 0 are already receiving the maximum financial aid available and are not eligible for this appeal.
Your financial aid eligibility is based in part on your estimated cost of attending college. If you have additional eligible educational expenses that aren't included in your current budget, you may be able to request a Cost of Attendance Appeal from the Office of Financial Aid.
An approved appeal may increase your cost of attendance, which could allow you to receive additional eligible aid, such as loans, outside scholarships or stipends. It does not automatically increase your financial aid.
For financial aid purposes, most students ages 23 and younger are considered dependent under federal guidelines — even if they live on their own or support themselves financially.
If you have serious or unusual circumstances that prevent you from providing parent information on your FAFSA or CADAA, you may be able to request an Unusual Circumstances Appeal.
This appeal was previously known as Dependency Override.
A financial aid counselor will carefully review your request and supporting documentation before making a decision.
What Happens Next?
Once you request an appeal and submit requested documentation, the Office of Financial Aid will review your request and any supporting documents.
If additional information is needed, you will be contacted through the Student Forms Platform.
After your appeal has been reviewed, you'll receive a notification letting you know the outcome and any next steps.
Need Help Deciding?
Not sure which appeal is right for your situation? We're here to help.
Contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships if you have questions before submitting an appeal.
Explore More Financial Aid Resources
Understanding your financial aid can help you plan your next steps with confidence. Explore these resources to learn more about your financial aid offer, understand the cost of attending CSUSB and find additional information to help you make informed decisions about paying for college.
