WEBVTT 1 00:00:11.070 --> 00:00:16.320 Lori Prince: Thank you for joining us today we're going to allow a few moments for people to get settled in 2 00:00:17.430 --> 00:00:18.270 Lori Prince: as people are logging on. 3 00:00:58.170 --> 00:01:12.360 Lori Prince: Okay I'll go ahead and get started, thank you for joining us today. My name is Lori Prince, I am the associate director here at USF and today we will be going over the special circumstance appeals. 4 00:01:12.810 --> 00:01:20.130 Lori Prince: And what you need to know if you're planning on submitting an appeal, not sure if you would fit the criteria to apply. 5 00:01:20.550 --> 00:01:29.700 Lori Prince: And so thank you again for joining us. Some housekeeping if you have any questions, please do post those questions in the Q and A section. 6 00:01:30.150 --> 00:01:48.420 Lori Prince: And our interim director of financially Dotti Davidson is logged on today to help with the Q and A. So if you have any questions, please do put them in the Q and A and I will also be answering questions at the end of the presentation. We'll go ahead and get started. 7 00:01:51.180 --> 00:02:05.190 Lori Prince: What is a special circumstance appeal? Financial aid is authorized to make changes to your 2020-2021 or 2021-22 FAFSA. 8 00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:19.530 Lori Prince: It is based on unique circumstances that have affected your ability to pay for college and the FAFSA is no longer an accurate reflection of your current financial circumstances. 9 00:02:19.980 --> 00:02:41.400 Lori Prince: So, if something has changed in the household with income and you feel that your FAFSA is not accurately reflecting your family's ability to pay, then you may be in a position where you can inquire about a special circumstance appeal. We put both the 10 00:02:43.440 --> 00:02:57.660 Lori Prince: 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 FAFSAs because, given the current pandemic, there are families who saw loss of income in the 2020 year and that falls under the 11 00:02:59.460 --> 00:03:01.920 Lori Prince: FAFSA application, the 12 00:03:03.810 --> 00:03:18.990 Lori Prince: application is asking for 2019 tax information and because of that, you know your income could have been different in 2020 so... 13 00:03:19.380 --> 00:03:30.240 Lori Prince: This pandemic can affect both academic years, so we want to make sure that students are aware that they can appeal for either or both if they fit the need. 14 00:03:32.070 --> 00:03:44.100 Lori Prince: So what is the unique circumstance? We define unique circumstance as prolonged loss of income due to an employment of your parent. Or, if you're independent student 15 00:03:44.700 --> 00:04:03.630 Lori Prince: Prolonged loss of income due to unemployment of you or your spouse. If you're an independent student, it can be prolonged reduction of income due to pay cuts or reduced hours — of your parents if you're dependent students — or you or your spouse if you're an independent student. 16 00:04:04.740 --> 00:04:17.430 Lori Prince: Also death of a financial contributor. So, whether that be your spouse, if you are an independent student or it could be parent if you're a dependent student. 17 00:04:18.720 --> 00:04:25.470 Lori Prince: Maybe there was a conversion of a regular IRA into a Roth IRA by transferring funds. 18 00:04:27.090 --> 00:04:48.450 Lori Prince: Again, "prolonged" we are defining as three months or more. So if you are just recently seeing a loss of income and it has not been prolonged based on our definition of prolonged — three months or more — we do ask that that you wait until you fit the prolonged definition. 19 00:04:50.580 --> 00:04:57.960 Lori Prince: So, how would you go about completing your appeal? The very first step is you want to contact financial aid. 20 00:04:58.290 --> 00:05:07.860 Lori Prince: So you can contact us by phone or by email, you can also set up a financial aid appointment with our office — we do both phone and Zoom appointment. 21 00:05:08.730 --> 00:05:20.010 Lori Prince: And step two is you're going to explain what the special circumstances are and the financial aid specialists will then determine if the circumstances are allowable under federal regulation. 22 00:05:21.090 --> 00:05:28.710 Lori Prince: Step three is if the circumstances are allowable you will submit your supporting documentation online. 23 00:05:30.120 --> 00:05:41.130 Lori Prince: Step four would be financial aid would review your statement and you're supporting documentation and if additional documentation is needed, you will be contacted. 24 00:05:41.550 --> 00:05:55.920 Lori Prince: Same as the documentation is not sufficient, or maybe we're not able to view it clearly, we can also reject documentation. So upon that file review of your appeal and will either 25 00:05:56.640 --> 00:06:08.220 Lori Prince: accept your documentation and proceed with our appeal decision, or we could reject documentation and ask for you to upload again. Or we can request additional documentation from you. 26 00:06:09.420 --> 00:06:25.740 Lori Prince: Step five, you will be notified via email if your appeal is approved or denied. Regardless of the outcome of your appeal you, you will be notified by our office letting you know where your file stand in the appeal process. 27 00:06:29.010 --> 00:06:44.220 Lori Prince: Examples of documentation to submit: some examples would be a signed statement explaining what the circumstances are and the 2019 federal tax return, as well as your — 28 00:06:46.200 --> 00:06:47.790 Lori Prince: since those are now available — 29 00:06:49.290 --> 00:06:51.090 Lori Prince: earnings statement, plus 30 00:06:53.310 --> 00:07:03.630 Lori Prince: severance documentation, statement of year to date income for low or termination documentation from your employer. 31 00:07:05.490 --> 00:07:06.540 Lori Prince: Bank statement. 32 00:07:07.800 --> 00:07:09.420 Lori Prince: Unemployment insurance. 33 00:07:10.650 --> 00:07:14.130 Lori Prince: That certificate if there was a death of a spouse or parents. 34 00:07:15.360 --> 00:07:24.630 Lori Prince: SNAP, WIC, TANF benefits, free or reduced lunch, medicaid or supplemental security income documentation. 35 00:07:25.770 --> 00:07:28.050 Lori Prince: Or IRA roll documentation. 36 00:07:32.130 --> 00:07:41.010 Lori Prince: We're going to go over some common FAQ, so this might answer some of the questions that you may have. 37 00:07:42.390 --> 00:07:51.960 Lori Prince: Do I have to complete the FAFSA in order to submit an appeal? The answer is yes, you must complete a FAFSA in order for your appeal to be reviewed. 38 00:07:52.320 --> 00:08:01.110 Lori Prince: The FAFSA is the best way to determine your need-based eligibility. Without that we have nothing to assess what type of appeal 39 00:08:02.580 --> 00:08:06.240 Lori Prince: You would be able to qualify for, so we need to know that first 40 00:08:07.290 --> 00:08:19.020 Lori Prince: that you file the FAFSA for what your need-based eligibility is and at that point we can determine if based on your special circumstances, if you do fit the needs to proceed with the appealing. 41 00:08:20.490 --> 00:08:29.970 Lori Prince: If I have been selected for verification or I have other outstanding requirements must be complete before I can apply for an appeal. 42 00:08:30.540 --> 00:08:48.420 Lori Prince: So yes, verification or any other outstanding financial aid requirements must be completed before the appeal can be reviewed. We have to make sure that all outside documentation has been turned in before you can proceed with the appeal process. 43 00:08:49.710 --> 00:08:53.550 Lori Prince: How do I submit my appeal and all supporting documentation? 44 00:08:54.660 --> 00:09:03.360 Lori Prince: So, if it is determined that you do qualify for an appeal, financial aid will provide you with the instructions to upload your documentation within our portal. 45 00:09:04.410 --> 00:09:06.420 Lori Prince: It's all submitted online. 46 00:09:08.940 --> 00:09:17.220 Lori Prince: Next step, how long will it take for my for for the review of my appeal? Due to high volume of appeals 47 00:09:17.940 --> 00:09:25.410 Lori Prince: — and we expect to receive more appeals — it can take anywhere from two weeks and as long as six weeks for review. 48 00:09:26.280 --> 00:09:33.090 Lori Prince: Appeals will be reviewed in order that they are received. So if you know that you're going to fit circumstances 49 00:09:33.540 --> 00:09:45.690 Lori Prince: and you want to be proactive and get ahead, we do encourage that you do start reaching out to the office now to see if you fit the need for the appeal so we can begin to to process with you. 50 00:09:47.310 --> 00:09:56.880 Lori Prince: If my appeal is incomplete, can I resubmit it? Yes, you can submit additional information. Only complete appeals will be reviewed. 51 00:09:57.240 --> 00:10:08.130 Lori Prince: The committee will contact the student family via email to provide additional information, once it is provided, it will be reviewed, according to the later date of receipt. 52 00:10:08.550 --> 00:10:17.070 Lori Prince: So really important when you're submitting the appeal that you are submitting all the documentation/everything that is required. 53 00:10:17.910 --> 00:10:23.400 Lori Prince: Because if we have to reject the form or request additional documentation, 54 00:10:23.760 --> 00:10:32.250 Lori Prince: You lose your spot in the review process, and you are now going to look at the later date of receipt. It's not going to be the initial 55 00:10:32.580 --> 00:10:40.620 Lori Prince: date that you submitted your appeal. So just keep that in mind when you're submitting everything — you want to make sure you're getting everything in its entirety. 56 00:10:41.100 --> 00:10:51.990 Lori Prince: That it's clear and easy for us to view. All signatures are added. Are there missing pages? Really make sure that the appeal is being submitted in its entirety. 57 00:10:55.320 --> 00:11:05.130 Lori Prince: Can I add additional information once my appeal submitted? If you have additional information that is material to the appeal, 58 00:11:05.550 --> 00:11:14.610 Lori Prince: it can be added. However it may delay your appeal decision. It is important that all relevant documentation is provided at the time of submission. 59 00:11:15.000 --> 00:11:28.230 Lori Prince: So again, as I was mentioning before you want to make sure you get it right, the first time, because we will consider any additional documentation and based off of the later date of receipt when we're reviewing the appeal. 60 00:11:29.850 --> 00:11:33.750 Lori Prince: What type of documentation is needed to accompany and appeal? 61 00:11:35.010 --> 00:11:49.770 Lori Prince: So some examples include a separation letter from employer, unemployment insurance documentation, final pay stub, statement from legal counsel, proof of benefits such as CalFresh. 62 00:11:52.710 --> 00:12:05.010 Lori Prince: Can I appeal a denial decision? If your appeal is not approved, a future appeal can be made, depending on the circumstances, for example: 63 00:12:05.430 --> 00:12:22.830 Lori Prince: If your parents short term unemployment change from a three month projection to actually being for the entire year, this may be a result in need base eligibility which you were not originally eligible. In this case a subsequent appeal would be considered. 64 00:12:24.900 --> 00:12:35.250 Lori Prince: Is there a limit on how many times I can appeal? You can appeal a total of two times assuming circumstances have drastically changed since the first appeal. 65 00:12:40.020 --> 00:12:57.900 Lori Prince: Who makes the decision on the field? Decisions are made by an appeal committee in the office of financial aid, the director will review the appeal decision, the appeal cannot be appealed to other departments, or the Department of Education. 66 00:12:59.940 --> 00:13:10.050 Lori Prince: If my appeal is not approved this year, can I appeal next year for 21-22? So yes, if you're FAFSA information form 67 00:13:11.580 --> 00:13:16.890 Lori Prince: is not an accurate reflection of your current financial circumstances, 68 00:13:18.780 --> 00:13:24.660 Lori Prince: you can appeal in May of 2021, you are able to begin that process. 69 00:13:28.830 --> 00:13:51.060 Lori Prince: Am I considered for federal, state, and institutional aid? So if your appeal is approved, you will be considered for Federal and State need based aid. Some changes may not result in an increased federal eligibility. Typically an increase of institutional aid is not considered for appeals. 70 00:13:53.280 --> 00:13:57.090 Lori Prince: Is the federal aid in the form of a grant or alone? 71 00:13:58.200 --> 00:14:05.970 Lori Prince: So your appeal may result in federal grant which would be the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal SEOG Grant. 72 00:14:06.420 --> 00:14:17.100 Lori Prince: And or need based loan, which is the subsidized loan eligibility and subsidized well is the loan where the government pays the interest, while you're in school. 73 00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:25.440 Lori Prince: So there are some students who are not eligible for need based loans, they may only be offered 74 00:14:26.310 --> 00:14:39.360 Lori Prince: the unsubsidized loan. So by completing an appeal this could open up the opportunity to be eligible for need based loan. So we would still consider and appeal and even if it's not 75 00:14:40.080 --> 00:14:49.140 Lori Prince: making you eligible for Pell or SEOG grant. You know you could be eligible for additional need based aid that you're not receiving. 76 00:14:52.860 --> 00:15:04.710 Lori Prince: If my situation hasn't changed yet, but I anticipate it will, can I appeal or, should I wait? So you must make an appeal after the life-altering situation has occurred. 77 00:15:05.370 --> 00:15:21.900 Lori Prince: An appeal submitted based on future developments will be denied. so again, you, the situation has have already happened as to be defined as prolonged and this is when you want to reach out to financial aid to see if you're eligible to submit a financial aid appeal. 78 00:15:23.610 --> 00:15:30.180 Lori Prince: If a decision isn't made before the semester begins, can make a change? 79 00:15:31.230 --> 00:15:37.440 Lori Prince: When a decision on your appeal has been made and approved, your aid will be adjusted at that time. 80 00:15:37.950 --> 00:15:44.460 Lori Prince: If an appeal approval occurs after the Semester has been done and the payment has been made? 81 00:15:44.790 --> 00:16:02.490 Lori Prince: Any additional aid may be applied to your account and refunded as applicable, so if you've already covered your tuition in full and now you can complete in the appeal an additional aid has come in, you could see a refund back to you, if applicable. 82 00:16:05.820 --> 00:16:18.750 Lori Prince: My parents were furloughed. What documentation do I need to submit? So you would need to submit a statement thoroughly explaining the circumstances must be provided, along with this last two pay stubs. 83 00:16:19.560 --> 00:16:32.130 Lori Prince: Then provide the letter from the company indicating that that they were furloughed, documentation showing the amount of unemployment that they are receiving based on the unemployment insurance claim, 84 00:16:32.820 --> 00:16:40.380 Lori Prince: an estimate of the income earned from 2020, which should include the income from work and unemployment payment. 85 00:16:41.550 --> 00:16:49.050 Lori Prince: The date of when your parents expected to become reemployed at their job or when they did become reemployed. 86 00:16:51.510 --> 00:17:03.330 Lori Prince: My parents were terminated/laid off with documentation. What do I need to submit? So a statement thoroughly explaining the circumstances, along with the last two pay stubs should be provided. 87 00:17:04.080 --> 00:17:14.520 Lori Prince: A letter from the company indicating that they were terminated or laid off, documentation showing the amount of unemployment that they are receiving based on the unemployment insurance claim. 88 00:17:15.060 --> 00:17:25.380 Lori Prince: An estimate of the income earned from 2020, which should include income from work and employment payments if my parent is reemployed with a new job. 89 00:17:25.890 --> 00:17:39.780 Lori Prince: The day that they became employed and the last date from their work that this point, everyone should have their 2020 tax returns, so you would be submitting the w-2 for this. 90 00:17:42.540 --> 00:17:47.130 Lori Prince: My parents are self employed with documentation. What do I need submit? 91 00:17:48.210 --> 00:17:56.550 Lori Prince: A statement earlier claiming the circumstances must be provided, the 2019 tax returns showing the business income. 92 00:17:57.090 --> 00:18:07.410 Lori Prince: And an estimate of what the income was the for the change in 2020 to COVID 19, along with an estimate of the projected income for the remaining of the year. 93 00:18:07.950 --> 00:18:20.070 Lori Prince: Provided all documentation that supports the income estimates given if the business is cyclical please provide this information, so you know, depending on what business 94 00:18:20.490 --> 00:18:35.190 Lori Prince: makes the most funds or could be a percentage of what that income loss was. They should have supporting documentation to capture the 2020 year as that's the year that we are going to be reviewing for these appeals. 95 00:18:37.980 --> 00:18:48.150 Lori Prince: Alrighty so we're going to go ahead and jump into the questions so i'm sure Dotti was answering your questions along the way, but let me go ahead and see what else we have. 96 00:18:54.180 --> 00:19:07.290 Lori Prince: Okay, so I went ahead and covered the self employment and if you need some some assistance, you know, based on what type of self employment, work, your parent is in. 97 00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:18.900 Lori Prince: And I would strongly advise emailing or calling the office and self employment can be various forms, so if you're stuck on how you're going to demonstrate 98 00:19:20.010 --> 00:19:32.910 Lori Prince: your family's loss of income and would recommend that you would contact our office that way we can guide you and help you on what documentation, you would want to submit for your for your case. 99 00:19:37.530 --> 00:19:40.230 Lori Prince: Okay, so next question. 100 00:19:42.420 --> 00:19:50.040 Lori Prince: If our EFC is zero are we an eligible to apply for appeal, even if the cost is still a challenge to person? 101 00:19:50.640 --> 00:20:04.290 Lori Prince: So at this time, we are not accepting appeals for zero EFC since you are currently being offered the maximum as possible. If anything, changes, where we have an opportunity 102 00:20:04.830 --> 00:20:13.050 Lori Prince: To review students who have zero EFC and are in need, and we will definitely reach out because 103 00:20:13.770 --> 00:20:29.040 Lori Prince: if anything changes, we would let you know. but at this time students with the zero EFC unfortunately would not be appealing, since you are receiving aid at the maximum a need based amount. 104 00:20:35.760 --> 00:20:36.510 Lori Prince: Alrighty. 105 00:20:40.350 --> 00:20:50.790 Lori Prince: So we don't have stats for this presentation on how many students have appealed and got approved and again if you are demonstrating 106 00:20:51.150 --> 00:20:57.840 Lori Prince: A loss of income, it depends on what your current expected family contribution is. 107 00:20:58.410 --> 00:21:11.340 Lori Prince: And so, this this this can also vary, so I think what's more important is for your personal case and what you might see as a likelihood of 108 00:21:11.790 --> 00:21:22.980 Lori Prince: getting approved based on what your situation is. So if you want to speak with our financial aid office, were able to review your file see what your current expected family contribution is. 109 00:21:23.340 --> 00:21:32.190 Lori Prince: Hear what your special circumstances, and then we can kind of go over what your case is, and what documentation you should be submitting. 110 00:21:32.760 --> 00:21:38.790 Lori Prince: To be able to assist if your appeal is denied we do give the reasoning, as to why it was denied. 111 00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:49.770 Lori Prince: And so maybe the income loss wasn't prolonged, maybe you already have a zero EFC so we're not able to approve, since you already are being assessed that. 112 00:21:50.280 --> 00:22:07.290 Lori Prince: The the most need based possible so if an appeal is approved, we do provide the reasoning, as to why it is approved, we do explain what aid was updated on your account, so you also are aware of that. 113 00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:24.240 Lori Prince: So if we filed for an appeal for the fall Semester and was approved, will it be applied to the current spring semester as well? So yes, if you apply for 114 00:22:27.840 --> 00:22:48.630 Lori Prince: and, and you were approved and fall any need based aid adjustments would have been applicable to the entire academic year, and so, if you're not seeing the change apply to the whole year, I would encourage you to reach out to our office, so we can review your file. 115 00:22:58.200 --> 00:23:06.330 Lori Prince: Okay, so there's some questions from students regarding that they submitted the appeal 116 00:23:07.050 --> 00:23:16.860 Lori Prince: and they and they don't know if they should be resubmitting it or not. So if you're unsure of where your appeal is standing for 2020-2021 117 00:23:17.400 --> 00:23:30.180 Lori Prince: go ahead and email the financial aid office to we can give you an update as far as 2020 2021 if you are submitting an appeal for 21-22 and then 118 00:23:31.110 --> 00:23:43.470 Lori Prince: These appeals students are just starting to submit these. So when you're inquiring with the financial aid team, you want to make sure you're specifying what year you're you're applying to so, is it for 119 00:23:46.020 --> 00:23:48.630 Lori Prince: Or is it 2021 22? 120 00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:59.580 Lori Prince: And if it's for 2020- 2021 and you've already appealed, but you just don't know what the status was email us, we can give that to you. 121 00:24:01.020 --> 00:24:11.340 Lori Prince: And it's a special circumstance appeal so last time we gave this presentation, it was the EFC appeal we have updated the name if you go to our website. 122 00:24:11.910 --> 00:24:22.830 Lori Prince: You go to the appeal section, we have a whole section on our website just for financial aid appeals you're you're going to see that this particular appeal when it's dealing with. 123 00:24:23.910 --> 00:24:44.790 Lori Prince: Change and family income, it would be under the special circumstance appeal and we give types of supporting documentation and cases that would not qualify for for an appeal we list all of that there for you so i'd really encourage you to check out the my USF website. 124 00:24:45.810 --> 00:24:49.860 Lori Prince: For financial aid, and we have that information available. 125 00:24:52.290 --> 00:24:58.290 Lori Prince: And this one, the name of the appeal is the special circumstance appeal. 126 00:25:05.490 --> 00:25:18.810 Lori Prince: Alrighty so it's another question about the zero EFC so again at this time, we are not accepting appeals for EFC, though we did do zero EFC when the pandemic first hit. 127 00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:27.360 Lori Prince: We had a little bit of additional funding that we were able to offer to students, we currently do not have that funding right now so. 128 00:25:28.410 --> 00:25:30.150 Lori Prince: Unfortunately, we would not be 129 00:25:31.380 --> 00:25:34.290 Lori Prince: Accepting appeals at this time for zero EFC. 130 00:25:39.690 --> 00:25:52.380 Lori Prince: So if you're currently experiencing separation or divorce and you don't have to wait for the divorce, to be finalized for a special circumstance appeal. 131 00:25:52.860 --> 00:26:14.310 Lori Prince: And what I would encourage is to either call in or email or book a financial aid appointment with our team, and we can go ahead and guide you on what steps depending on when you were separated when that when that separation began was in. 132 00:26:15.540 --> 00:26:25.500 Lori Prince: Is it just recently, for us to be able to gauge on when you can appeal and if it's now the documentation that you will want to provide. 133 00:26:32.130 --> 00:26:47.910 Lori Prince: Okay, so we got a question about CARES Act, we do not have any updates on CARES Act at this time, but if there are any updates to that we will be sending an email. This presentation is strictly just regarding the special circumstance appeals. 134 00:26:51.210 --> 00:27:03.630 Lori Prince: So, to appeal for 2021 financial aid what I need to submit the information from before fall 2020 year can I use the recent change circumstances? 135 00:27:04.530 --> 00:27:15.540 Lori Prince: If you have new circumstances that have occurred, and then you want to gauge, to see if you should be if you break submitted an appeal and you want to submit a second appeal. 136 00:27:16.020 --> 00:27:34.470 Lori Prince: And we do accept second appeal, so I would contact the financial aid office to explain what recently changed, and then we can determine if that is if that changes sufficient enough to submit a second appeal or even the first appeal if you haven't appealed yet. 137 00:27:42.780 --> 00:27:45.690 Lori Prince: Any other questions go ahead and post them. 138 00:28:00.390 --> 00:28:02.310 Lori Prince: Already, and then move on to the 139 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:17.700 Lori Prince: next slide with our contact information, just so you have that there, and so our contact information financial aid, if you want to send us an email, that would be financialaid@usfca.edu. 140 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:27.960 Lori Prince: We are also available by phone to book, the financial aid appointment as I was mentioning before you can actually go to the myUSF financial aid website. 141 00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:38.340 Lori Prince: On the right hand side, there is a appointment link that you can click and book in the financial aid appointment with our office. 142 00:28:38.910 --> 00:28:51.270 Lori Prince: And if you have questions regarding billing in tuition student accounts information is made available as well as student employment if you have any questions regarding student deployment. 143 00:29:19.050 --> 00:29:20.520 Lori Prince: there's any other questions. 144 00:29:36.150 --> 00:29:42.090 Lori Prince: Okay, so it looks like that concludes the questions Thank you so much for listening in today again. 145 00:29:42.450 --> 00:29:53.400 Lori Prince: Please reach out to our office, and these situations can be a little tricky because everyone's situation is different and everyone has different needs so. 146 00:29:53.850 --> 00:30:09.270 Lori Prince: For us to really help you and guide you for your appeal and if you are eligible for an appeal, please do reach out to us and we can be of assistance. Thank you so much, and I hope you all are doing well take the care and thank you again for joining us today.