Financial Aid Suspension Appeal Information

WHY DID I LOSE MY FINANCIAL AID?

If your grades or course completion rate don’t meet the required Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards (SAPS), your financial aid gets suspended. This means you won’t get any financial aid money—even if it was already awarded—until you fix the issue. You can still attend classes while on financial aid suspension unless you’re suspended from the university for other reasons.

HOW CAN I GET MY FINANCIAL AID BACK?

You can get your aid back two ways:

• Improve your grades and completion rate next
• Submit an appeal and get it approved by the Financial Aid

HOW DO I APPEAL?

You’ll need to turn in these things:

1. SAPS Appeal Form (Located on the financial aid webpage under “Financial Aid Forms”)
2. A typed statement explaining what happened and how it affected your schoolwork
3. Proof of your situation (see examples below)
4. Academic plan signed by your advisor

Make sure to submit everything by the deadline listed on the appeal form. Late appeals won’t be reviewed.

If something’s missing, you will be contacted to let you know what else is needed.

WHAT COUNTS AS A VALID REASON TO APPEAL?

Here are some examples of situations you can appeal for and what you need to prove it:

• Personal physical health or mental health issue: Signed statement on letterhead from your provider with dates of onset and current
• Death in immediate family (parent, spouse, sibling, child, or other immediate family): A copy of the death certificate or copy of obituary, with notation of your relationship to the deceased.
• Military call for active duty: A copy of official dates military
• Family/relationship crisis: Court or legal documentation as well as resolution/current
• Disability issue not previously diagnosed/documented: Documentation must be submitted to Accessibility Services (IL 220)
• Natural Disaster (flood, fire, or tornado): Insurance report or other documentation
• Job Loss: Unemployment verification or termination notice from employer
• Other extenuating circumstances or unusual circumstances: Attach appropriate documentation

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY APPEAL IS APPROVED?

You’ll hear back within 2 weeks via your SMSU email. If you are approved, you’ll be placed on financial aid probation. This means:

• You’ll get aid again, but you’ll need to meet specific GPA and course completion
• Your new academic goals will be listed in the email you get with your appeal
• Probation will last for one or more semesters depending on your

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW

• If you miss the deadline or get denied, you can appeal again for a future
• Getting approved isn’t guaranteed—you’re responsible for any charges while your aid is
• If you’ve been suspended before and got reinstated, you can appeal again if it happens again.