Financial Aid Appeal Process

2024-25 SAP Appeals available starting June 1, 2024

If it has been determined that you are ineligible for Financial Aid because you did not meet one or more of the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards, you can appeal this decision by submitting additional information regarding the extenuating circumstances that prevented you from meeting these standards.

To submit a SAP appeal electronically visit https://shastacollege.studentforms.com, select the “Appeals” tab then click on “Manage Requests” Then select SAP appeal.

If you are determined a dependent student on your FAFSA and any unusual circumstances prevent you from contacting your parents or if contacting your parents would pose a risk to you, you can submit a request to have your dependency status reconsidered.

A student may be experiencing unusual circumstances if they:

• Left home due to an abusive or threatening environment;
• Are abandoned by or estranged from their parents;
• Have refugee or asylee status and are separated from their parents, or their parents are displaced in a foreign country;
• Are a victim of human trafficking;
• Are incarcerated, or their parents are incarcerated, and contact with the parents would pose a risk to the student; or
• Are otherwise unable to contact or locate their parents

To submit a Dependency Appeal electronically visit https://shastacollege.studentforms.com, select the “Appeals” tab then click on “Manage Requests” and then select "Professional Judgement: Unusual Circumstance Appeal."

Typical documentation that should be gathered prior to submitting the appeal:

Any third party documentation that supports the unusual circumstance that prevents you from providing your parent(s) information. Examples of third-party documentation could include: police reports, social services reports, letters/statements from employers, counselors, or teachers who know your circumstances, or medical reports, etc.

Appeals submitted without third-party documentation could be delayed and potentially not be approved depending upon the circumstance.

If you or household’s current income is different from the income reported on the FAFSA due to unforeseen circumstances, you may submit a request to reprocess your FAFSA using current and/or projected income.

Typical documentation that should be gathered prior to submitting the appeal:

Any documents that can prove your household income changed between the 2021 tax year and 2023 tax year:

• 2022 Income Documents (IRS Tax Transcript, IRS Wage and Income Transcripts, W2’s, etc.)
• 2023 Income Documents (pay stubs year to date, EDD Unemployment statements, W2's, bank statements, etc.)
• If the EFC/Income Adjustment is due to unusual expenses that occurred this year, you will need to provide documentation about the expenses (e.g., receipts, bank statements, court document, etc.)
• If you are a dependent student, you will need to provide documentation about your parent(s)’ and your income change
• If you are an independent student, you will need to provide documentation about your income change (and your spouse’s income, if married)

We will not accept nor process EFC/Income Adjustments without documentation.

In addition, you will be asked to submit a detailed explanation of the changes to your household’s income. Your explanation should match your documentation; please provide relevant dates.

You may be contacted to provide additional documentation and/or a more detailed explanation.

To submit a EFC/Income Adjustment Appeal electronically visit https://shastacollege.studentforms.com, select the “Appeals” tab then click on “Manage Requests” and then select Family Contribution Appeal.