Financial Aid Appeals

Family Financial Changes

Newly admitted students cannot formally appeal until after committing to UC Santa Cruz. Alternatively, you may contact our office for an updated estimate if you have the following information: adjusted gross income estimate for the current calendar year, updated wages for each parent for the current calendar year, any updates on untaxed income, and current assets. An adviser will be able to provide an updated verbal estimate.

Continuing Students: If your family has a change in their financial situation due to loss of income or other extenuating circumstances since you completed your financial aid application, you may request a Financial Contribution Appeal via your MyAid Verify by clicking on the “Request ” button and selecting the “Family Contribution Appeal” option. You will be required to provide a statement explaining the special circumstance(s) in addition to supporting documentation as applicable to your appeal. 

The last day to submit a Financial Contribution Appeal (SAI appeal) for the current academic year is is May 1st, 2026. Please allow 6-8 weeks processing time from the date of submission to hear back. 

Circumstances we will generally consider:

• Recent loss or reduction of income, including but not limited to loss of employment, reduction of pay, death of a parent or spouse, and reduction/loss of child support
• Divorce or separation
• One-time only income
• High medical and/or dental expenses paid out of pocket by parent 
• Impacted by a natural disaster
• Private K-12 tuition paid after financial aid

Circumstances we will generally not consider:

• Changes to assets or inability to liquidate assets.
• Loss of overtime or bonus
• Bankruptcy, foreclosures or collection costs associated with outstanding debts
• Consumer debt (credit cards, car payments, loans, etc.)
• Lottery or gambling winnings or losses
• One-time income used for non-life essential items (e.g. family vacation)
• Parents (step-parents or biological parents) who do not wish to provide support
• A marital separation where the parents are still living together

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Find your circumstance below to determine the documents to submit for a review of your appeal:

Reduction or Loss of Employment or Benefits

• Copy of a termination letter of employment or other benefits, including verification of any severance pay
• Copy of year to date earnings (most recent paycheck stub or most recent W-2 wage forms), disability benefit statement, unemployment summary statement that specifies the claim start date and the maximum benefit amount
• W-2s for each parent for tax year information collected on the financial aid application
• Signed copy of the Federal Income Tax return, including all schedules/attachments (if not previously submitted during the verification process) for the tax year collected on the financial aid application

Change in Marital Status that occurred after the aid application was complete

• Proof of separation such as:
  • Separation agreement
  • Divorce decree,
  • Death certificate,
  • or documents that show your parents are no longer living together with an intent to divorce, such as utility bills
  • W-2s for each parent for the tax year information collected on the financial aid application
  • Signed copy of the Federal Income Tax return, including all schedules/attachments (if not previously submitted during the verification process) for the tax year collected on the financial aid application

Reduction or Loss of Untaxed Income (child support, untaxed portions of IRS or pension distributions [rollovers], or other untaxed income)

• Documentation Required:
  • Copy of divorce/separation agreement, verification of a rollover (1099-R), or other documentation indicating the start and end date of benefits

One time income

• Documentation Required:
  • Signed copy of the Federal Income Tax return, including all schedules/attachments (if not previously submitted during the verification process) for the tax year collected on the financial aid application
  • Signed copy of the Federal Income Tax return, including all schedules/attachments, for the year following the tax year information collected by the aid application

Out of pocket medical expenses, tax liens, or K-12 private school tuition

• Documentation Required:
  • Statement from the insurance provider or estimated out of pocket expenses 
  • Statement from the IRS and/or State Franchise tax board indicating current monthly payment amounts on back taxes
  • Current K-12 private school tuition statement detailing out cost and any financial aid received

Expenses related to a Natural Disaster

• Copies of insurance policies, which may include home, rental property, car, and/or business that documents deductibles or unreimbursed expenses
• FEMA application, detailed contractor quotes, invoices, and/or receipts

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Filing an Undergraduate Appeal

Students can regain eligibility for financial aid by submitting an appeal in cases where there have been extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control that prevented him/her/them from meeting Financial Aid SAP requirements. Examples include the death of a close relative, a serious injury/illness, and/or change of major. Typical processing time varies from quarter to quarter, so students are encouraged to submit an appeal as soon as To-Do Lists are assigned, as noted below. 

The UCSC Financial Aid and Scholarship Office does not limit the number of appeals that may be submitted. Appeals will be reviewed and considered for approval based on federal and state regulations requirements. Appeals may be denied based on reported circumstances and/or viable path to completion.

International Students must appeal by an online eForm. The form will be assigned to students via their MyUCSC To-Do List who are identified as not meeting the financial aid SAP Policy.

Reason to Appeal & Documents Required

Time to Degree:

• If you need to complete additional credits in the current academic year, you must meet with your academic and major advisers to complete a SAP Graduation Plan. You are required to submit the following two forms online here:* 

• Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal, and
• Scanned copy of the completed and signed SAP Graduation Plan

GPA/Pace Deficit

• Changes to assets or inability to liquidate assets.
• Loss of overtime or bonus
• Bankruptcy, foreclosures or collection costs associated with outstanding debts
• Consumer debt (credit cards, car payments, loans, etc.)
• Lottery or gambling winnings or losses
• One-time income used for non-life essential items (e.g. family vacation)
• Parents (step-parents or biological parents) who do not wish to provide support
• A marital separation where the parents are still living together

*If you are logging in for the first time to MyAid Verify, you’ll need to activate your account by providing your First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, and SSN/Dream ID that matches your FAFSA/Dream application.

Paper/Hard Copy Appeal Option

If you cannot submit the appeal online via the corresponding links, please contact the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office for assistance with a hard copy submission.

Deadline to Submit Your Appeal

The Add/Drop/Swap Enrollment deadline for the term you are appealing for aid.

Appeal Results

Students are notified by e-mail of the outcome of their appeal. If the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office approves your appeal, your academic progress will be monitored quarterly until you are no longer deficient on SAP. 

Second Review

If your Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal is denied, you are able to request a second review process. The second review shall be conducted by a reviewer who did not partipate in the first review. Students may request a second review process by replying to their official SAP notification email that details the SAP Appeal results.

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If you are returning from a leave of absence and cannot access the online appeal form due to issues with “Gold” password, follow instructions, and if needed, contact ITS at help@ucsc.edu or call 831-459-HELP (9-4357).

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