Appeals and Special Circumstances

You may submit an appeal to review your financial aid eligibility if you believe that your financial aid offer did not fully consider your individual circumstances.

Budget adjustments may be made when your actual expenses exceed what is included in the average estimated student allowances in the financial aid budget. These budget increases are made on an individual, case-by-case basis and must relate directly to your ability to remain enrolled in your degree program.

Budget Adjustments

Examples of typical situations in which your educational budget can be increased above the standard level include:

Rent/Mortgage, Utility, or Food Expenses That Exceed the Standard Allowance

Students may appeal for an increase in rent, food, and utility allowances if their costs exceed the allotted amount in the standard cost of attendance (COA) and are reasonable. Students may be asked to document special circumstances that require higher costs (e.g., an ADA-compliant building, special food restrictions for religious or dietary requirements, etc.).

Appeals:

• Must be within the terms of the signed lease
• Students must appeal each academic year they are requesting an increase
• The costs should not exceed 150 percent of the rent allowance provided for in the standard COA, although higher increases can be approved on a case-by-case basis and in years when inflation impacts the rental market in the Chicagoland area.

We will assume that rent will be split evenly between all parties listed on the lease. Documentation may include:

• A copy of the student’s current and active lease or mortgage statement, including all pages and addendums
• One month’s worth of all utility expenses paid
• Any other relevant documentation as determined by the Financial Aid Office (i.e., ACA requirements, etc.)
• One month’s worth of detailed grocery receipts

Medical Costs Not Covered by Insurance

Students may appeal for additional aid to cover medical expenses not covered by insurance that are charged for procedures or treatment that takes place within the academic year. Medical expenses can include those costs associated with vision, dental, and/or mental health treatments and appointments.

Documentation may include:

• A copy of the bill from the medical provider (not an insurance explanation of benefits or claim report) showing the portion of costs remaining after insurance.
• A copy of a pharmacy receipt or statement showing cost after insurance and RX number (prescription name may be blacked out).
• A letter from the student’s physician outlining clinic costs and expenses, and the frequency of ongoing care.

Note: Students are not required to provide a diagnosis or information regarding their specific medical treatment if copies of bills or letters from a physician can verify that a general medical condition does exist or has been treated.

Dependent Care Costs

Additional assistance is available to students who have dependents for whom they (and their spouse, if applicable) provide 50 percent or more of the financial support as reported on the FAFSA. Students may request additional assistance for childcare or maintenance expenses in certain circumstances.

Students should contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss options for a dependent care appeal.

Documentation may include a childcare billing statement.

Computer/Technology Purchases

You may be eligible to obtain supplemental loan assistance to purchase computer hardware and software one time during the duration of your program, unless extenuating circumstances exist (i.e., theft as documented on a police report, documented damage, etc.).

The maximum amount of supplemental loan assistance is equal to the actual cost of the required hardware (excluding a printer) and software, or $1,500, whichever is less. Up to an additional $500 can be available for the purchase of a printer or other peripheral components (monitor, keyboard, etc.). Supplemental loan assistance cannot exceed $2,000.

Documentation includes:

• Receipt from the purchase of a computer
• Students who do not have resources available to pay for the computer up front may submit documentation of their intended purchase (a printout of the online shopping cart), and our office will work with you to discuss your options.

Transportation

Students who live more than 10 miles from campus (based on the shortest-distance route) may be considered for vehicle maintenance and mileage reimbursement if reasonable public transportation options are not available. Students may not receive additional aid to cover the purchase or lease of a personal vehicle (car payment).

Students in programs that require clinical rotations or clerkships may appeal for additional transportation expenses if their costs exceed the standard COA, if:

• Their site is in an area that is not serviced by Chicago-area public transportation, OR
• Their transportation hours make it unsafe to use Chicago-area public transportation, OR
• Their clinical location requires the purchase of an airline ticket to and from the clinical site at the beginning and/or end of the rotation
• Other extenuating circumstances as documented

Documentation may include:

• Rental vehicle — a copy of the rental agreement
• Metra expenses — a statement including the method of travel and average daily transportation costs, including the number of traveling days per week
• Airfare — copy of your round-trip airline receipt or quote for one flight to/from your clinical location
• Other relevant documentation, as determined by the Financial Aid Office

Clinical Education Expenses

Students who need additional funding for clinicals or clerkships outside of the Chicagoland area can appeal for additional funding support.

Books and Supplies

Students can appeal for additional aid to cover the actual costs (versus the average costs included in the COA) if they paid for required books/supplies with receipts.

Documentation may include:

• A copy of the student's syllabi for registered coursework
• Specific uniform requirements (scrubs, clinic-specific clothing requirements) issued by the clinical/clerkship site
• Receipts confirming purchase

Expenses Not Eligible for Appeal

The cost of attendance includes an allowance for personal expenses to cover discretionary, miscellaneous expenses. Students generally use those funds to cover the cost of self-care (haircuts, clothing, entertainment, pet care, outside gym or other memberships, etc.). Personal expenses and certain other expenses may not be appealed. Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

• Living expenses for periods of non-enrollment in coursework required for your degree
• Moving expenses
• Consumer loans/credit cards/credit lines/payment plans
• Car payments
• Test prep courses
• Travel not associated with required coursework/academic studies
• Support of spouse, parent(s), grandparents, or other relatives who are not dependent children who require childcare while you are in class
• Religious tithing/charity/contributions/gifts
• Entertainment/dining out
• Streaming services and subscriptions
• Weddings
• Gym memberships
• Graduation regalia
• Laundry/dry cleaning
• Hair/makeup/skin care/supplements/vitamins/equipment or other medical expenses not provided through medical prescription

Budget Appeal Process

The appeal process for these items requires you to submit the appeal request form along with documentation of the expenses for which you are requesting additional funding.

Please note:

• If extenuating circumstances span multiple academic years, a new appeal must be submitted each year.
• Appeals from a prior academic year cannot be used to determine eligibility for additional aid in subsequent academic years.
• If you find that your current loan funding will not cover other expenses, please contact our office to determine the documentation that should be submitted for those items.

Once you submit your appeal request, it will be reviewed within 10-14 business days, and the results will be provided. We may request additional documentation or seek clarification before deciding the outcome of the appeal. Additional loan funding will be offered for approved appeals.