The UA Little Rock Office of Financial Aid follows federal, state and institutional regulations in administering financial aid.
- If the student has extenuating circumstances that are not addressed by the policies of this office, you may submit a typewritten request for review.
- All supporting documentation should be submitted with the appeal form. Failure to do so will result in denial of the appeal, a request for additional information, or a refusal to take action.
- All information will become a part of the student’s financial aid record. Items cannot be returned.
- You will receive a written response within four weeks. Appeals submitted at the beginning of a semester may take longer to receive a response.
- Students who file an appeal are responsible for payment of tuition and fees and other charges. Failure to make the appropriate payment arrangements by the published confirmation and/or payment deadlines may result in one or more of the following consequences:
- cancellation of registration
- assessment of late fees
- referral of an unpaid account to a collection agency
Types of Financial Aid Appeals
Academic Appeal
A request to reinstate financial aid eligibility after a failure to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards
Students who fail to meet UA Little Rock Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards, and have extenuating circumstances, may file an appeal with the UA Little Rock Financial Aid Appeals Committee. To obtain a Financial Aid Appeal Form, a student must contact the UA Little Rock Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@ualr.edu or 501-916-3035.
Required Documentation
- Completed Financial Aid Appeal form from the student which explains both the extenuating circumstances that caused the failure to make satisfactory academic progress and the change in circumstances that will allow the student to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards at the next evaluation.
- Supporting documentation that verifies the circumstances referenced in the appeal statement
- Current copy of the student’s degree plan, signed by their academic advisor
Committee Response
- The decision of the Committee is final. No additional appeal is permitted.
- All appeals will receive a written response within four weeks of the submission of all required documents. Response time may be longer if the appeal is submitted at the beginning of a semester.
Request for Financial Reconsideration
The federal needs analysis formulas use federal income tax information from the two years prior to the current academic year to calculate financial need. For example, financial need for the 2018-2019 academic year is based on income reported on the 2016 federal tax return. If the student’s and/or family’s financial situation(s) have changed since the reported tax year, due to unusual or extenuating circumstances, a request for financial reconsideration may be submitted.
Required Documentation
- Typed and signed explanation of the change in financial circumstances
- Documentation of the reason for the reduction in income (termination letter, verification of layoff or job termination; documentation of required job transfer, etc.)
- Statement from the previous employer confirming the last date of employment
- Documentation of year-to-date earnings for all wage earners in household: student (and spouse, if married), and, if student is dependent, parent and parent’s spouse
- Documentation of year-to-date unemployment benefits
- Documentation of any other expected income, including job severance pay
- Verification of FAFSA income (if not previously provided):
- Verification Worksheet
- Copy of student’s (and parent’s, if dependent) most recent federal tax transcript
Response
- All requests will receive a written response within four weeks of the submission of all required documents.
- Students who have filed a request for financial reconsideration are still responsible for payment of tuition and fees and other charges (including penalties assessed for failure to pay by the deadline dates).
Note: that the change in financial circumstances must be involuntary in order to qualify for financial reconsideration. Loss of income due to a return to school is considered a choice and does not support a financial reconsideration. In addition, a reduction in income does not automatically guarantee an increase in financial aid eligibility.
Request for a Change in Dependency Status
Students who do not meet the criteria for independent status are considered to be dependent students. Dependent students are required to provide parental information and a parent’s signature on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The parental data is taken into account when determining financial aid eligibility for a dependent student. Students who have extenuating circumstances may file an appeal to be considered exempt from the requirement to provide parental information on the FAFSA.
The following conditions do not support a dependency status change:
- Parents refuse to contribute to the student’s education
- Parents are unwilling to provide information on the FAFSA or for verification
- Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes
- Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency
Required Documentation
- A typed and signed statement explaining the extenuating circumstances that prevent the student from providing parental information and a parent’s signature.
- Supporting letter(s) from a professional, such as a high school counselor, member of the clergy, attorney, caseworker, counselor or therapist. The individual writing the letter of support cannot be a family member, and the letter must confirm the circumstances listed in your statement.
- Copy of your federal tax transcripts from 2018 and 2019.
Response
- All requests will receive a written response within four weeks of the submission of all required documents.
- Students who have filed a request for dependency override are still responsible for payment of tuition and fees and other charges (including penalties assessed for failure to pay by the deadline dates).
Other Types of Appeals
Request for Refund of Tuition and Fee Charges
Questions concerning tuition and fee payment and/or refunds should be directed to the Student Accounts Office in Student Services Center, Room 120, 501-916-3450, or by email at studentaccounts@ualr.edu.
