Financial Aid Appeals

If you have special circumstances not fully explained by your FAFSA, your federal tax returns, or other documents you have submitted to the Financial Aid Office, please notify us in writing. Download the appeal forms from Financial Aid Forms. Fax your letter, appeal form(s) and all appropriate supporting documentation to (323) 442-2943.

You must notify us within 30 days of the date of your Statement of Financial Aid Award or the change in your family or financial situation (whichever is later). When considering your special circumstances, the Financial Aid Office takes into account the availability of funds, the timeliness of your original application for financial aid, the timeliness of your appeal, and the nature of the change in your circumstances.

Re-evaluation of your financial aid eligibility is subject to federal, state and university regulations. Approved appeals can be funded only if you are eligible for additional student loans. We urge you to carefully consider your total loan debt before borrowing additional loan funds.

Special Circumstances

If you have special circumstances other than those listed below that you would like us to consider, outline them in a fax to the Financial Aid Office: (323) 442-2943.

Income Decrease

We will consider appeals from students whose income for 2007 will be substantially lower than their 2006 income, due to a reduction in employment to accommodate full-time enrollment. Submit a detailed letter of explanation and the Projected Year Income Form. You must also submit a letter from your employer to verify your job loss/reduction, and a copy of your most recent pay stub.

Budget Adjustments

One-time computer purchase

(Please note: A computer is recognized as a standard cost for students in the medical and physician assistant programs, and is already included in your budget.) If you plan to purchase a computer, you may appeal for a budget increase to be funded with private financing. The purchase must occur after July 1.

Submit a receipt, or an itemized statement showing the anticipated cost. If your request is approved, the Financial Aid Office will determine a reasonable amount of increased eligibility. You are eligible for only one computer-purchase budget increase during your academic program.

Rent costs exceed standard budget

If you pay more rent than is specified in the standard budget, submit a copy of your current lease agreement and copies of cancelled checks (front and back) or money orders verifying payment of rent. (Cash receipts are not accepted.) Your budget may be increased if your rent level is deemed to be reasonable despite exceeding the standard budget.

Extra tuition costs or fees

If you incur extra tuition costs or fees that are not included in the standard budget, submit a letter itemizing your additional expenses.

Course-related expenses

If you incur course-related costs that are not included in the standard budget, submit a letter itemizing your additional expenses, along with receipts and a memo from your academic department supporting your request.

Disability-related expenses

If you incur expenses related to a disability during the academic year, and those expenses aren't covered by other sources of funding, you must be registered with the USC Office for Disability Services and Programs. To document your budget increase, submit receipts to verify your disability-related expenses and a letter supporting your request.

Travel expenses

Students who live outside Southern California and incur significant expenses traveling from home to USC may appeal for a budget increase to cover the cost of two round trips per academic year (minus the standard budgeted amount for transportation). Submit a letter itemizing your travel expenses for the academic year, and receipts or other documentation.

Child care expenses

If attending USC causes you to incur child care expenses for dependent(s) who are 12 years old or younger, submit a Monthly Income and Expense Form, together with copies of cancelled checks (front and back) or money order receipts. Provide the name, address and telephone number of your child care provider, as well as the name and age of each child.

Mandatory USC Student Health Insurance

(Please note: Student Health Insurance, a standard cost for students in the medical and physician assistant programs, is already included in the standard budget.) If you are not already covered by health insurance, or if you were unable to obtain a waiver for USC Student Health Insurance, submit a written request for a budget increase.