Appeals
The Office of Financial Aid realizes a student may face life events which cause their financial situation to change. IIT can exercise professional judgment to re-evaluate a student's financial aid eligibility provided that appropriate documentation is on file. If you have new or additional information regarding your family's financial circumstances, you should submit it in writing along with supporting documentation. For example, if loss of employment occurs, a letter from the employer would be helpful along with the last paycheck stub.
Weekly, the Financial Aid Appeals Committee convenes to review, discuss and determine if additional assistance is warranted for each appeal submitted to the Office of Financial Aid. Additional aid may be offered in the form of a loan, employment or grant, but is not guaranteed for every appeal submitted. You should be aware that funding is limited and that the Office of Financial Aid will do everything possible to accommodate individual family needs.
If you wish to present your circumstance to the Office of Financial Aid, please select your appeal type and follow the appeal procedures listed under the appeal you select.
Illinois Institute of Technology expects that all students remain at full-time status (12 credits or more) throughout their undergraduate studies in order to participate fully in the rich intellectual and professional life of the academic environment.
As a general guideline:
- Students who are awarded institutional funds are expected to enroll full-time status (12 credits or more) regardless of the time remaining in the program of study.
- This applies to both US citizens/eligible non-citizens as well as international students.
Under very unusual conditions, during the final term of study at the university, a student — as a result of extenuating circumstances — may request that their institutional scholarships be pro-rated.
Please note: Throughout a student's undergraduate studies, extraordinary circumstances may present themselves in which the university, through a student appeal, and with the support of the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs, may grant a one-time, one-semester exception to the full-time (12 credit) requirement.This request would need to be approved by the Office of the Vice Provost.
Requirements to Submit Institutional Scholarship Appeal
- You present a clear and detailed set of extenuating circumstances to reduce your course load
- You will be registered for 6-11 credit hours for your final semester
- You have completed a degree requirement audit from Undergraduate Academic Affairs
How to submit this appeal
Students who meet requirements should submit an e-mail directly to:
Abby McGrath
Assistant Director
Office of Financial Aid
amcgrat1@iit.edu
In addition, please submit the following information in your e-mail:
- Add "Institutional Scholarship Appeal" in the subject line.
- Brief responses to statements listed above in the requirements section.
- An e-mail from the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Academic Affairs detailing the approval of your educational plan for reduced study in your final semester.
Effective May 16, 2009, a student may request an extension of their institutional scholarship beyond four years. A student also may, within three-months of the receipt of an undergraduate degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology, request to receive a continuation of institutional scholarships where applicable — and any federal or state assistance as applicable, to pursue a 2nd bachelor degree at the university.
As a general guideline:
- Students who are awarded an extension of institutional funds are expected to enroll full-time status (12 credits or more).
- This applies to both US citizens/eligible non-citizens as well as international students.
It is recommended that this decision be discussed with one or more individuals in terms of overall academic planning and the pursuit of professional goals and career aspirations including but not limited to: the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Affairs, the Director of Undergraduate Advising, the student's faculty advisor and/or the undergraduate coordinator for the intended 2nd Bachelor degree.
Requirements to submit this appeal
Please review the following criteria:
- You present a clear and detailed set of goals toward earning a 2nd Bachelor degree
- You will be registered as a full-time student
- You have completed a degree requirement audit for your double major or 2nd Bachelor degree
- You have received written approval from your advisor or undergraduate academic affairs for the pursuit of a double major or 2nd Bachelor degree
How to submit this appeal
Students who meet the requirements should submit these documents directly to:
Abby McGrath
Assistant Director
Office of Financial Aid
amcgrat1@iit.edu
In addition, please submit the following information in your e-mail:
- Add "Request for Financial Assistance to Complete a Second Bachelor Degree" in the subject line.
- brief responses to the criteria listed above in the requirements section
You will receive a formal response from the Office of Financial Aid. If your appeal is granted, you will receive a revised financial aid award.
The University believes the financing of a student's education is the family's responsibility to the extent that they are able. If you find that your family can't afford the cost of attendance, you have the option of working over the summer to use the resources you make to help pay for your education. In addition, the Office of Financial Aid has an appeal process for special circumstances.
The Office of Financial Aid cannot increase the institutional scholarships that were initially awarded by the Office of Undergraduate Admission. However, if the Appeals Committee believes additional assistance is warranted due to financial circumstances, additional aid may be offered in the form of a loan, employment, or grant. This additional assistance will be reflected on a revised financial aid award. You should be aware that funding is limited and that the Office of Financial Aid will do everything possible to accommodate individual family needs.
If you are interested in submitting an special circumstance review to our office, please submit the following to the Office of Financial Aid:
- Special Circumstance Review Worksheet
- A detailed letter explaining the reason for your appeal
- All required documents listed under the options on the special circumstance review worksheet
In the interest of expediency, the office will communicate with students through e-mail and/or by telephone. Please regularly check your IIT e-mail because there is a 2-week (10 business days) deadline to respond to a request for additional information. If you do not respond by the deadline, the appeal will be terminated.
Illinois Institute of Technology expects that all students resolve their financial obligations in accordance with the policies outlined by the Office of the Bursar. From time to time, extraordinary financial circumstances prevent students with an outstanding balance from registering in their final semester at the university. For a would-be graduating student, the Office of the Bursar and the Office of Financial Aid in coordination with the Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Affairs offers the following appeal process.
As a general guideline:
- Students are expected to resolve all outstanding financial obligations in accordance with university guidelines as outlined by the Office of the Bursar
Under unusual conditions, during the final term of study at the university, a student — as a result of extenuating circumstances — may request permission to register with an outstanding balance.
This request would need to be approved by the Office of Bursar.
- Please note that any student permitted to register under this appeal process must meet in-full all financial obligations to the university before a student will be permitted to graduate, or receive their diploma.
Some general guidelines:
- You are in final semester at the university
- You present a clear and detailed set of extenuating circumstances which prevent you from being able to meet your immediate financial obligations to the university
- You will be registered for 6 or more credit hours for your final semester (or the necessary credit hours to fulfill graduation requirements)
- You have applied for graduation for the current term and have been approved for graduation
- You have completed a degree requirement audit
- You have received approval from your advisor or educational services that you have registered for the appropriate classes to graduate
- You have met with and discussed your educational plans for your final semester and received approval from the Office of the Associate Provost
- You have met with, discussed and developed a financial payment plan/schedule with the Office of the Bursar that they approve
- You have met with, discussed and reviewed your financial aid options with the Office of Financial Aid
Students who meet these requirements should contact via e-mail:
Jennifer Pisciotti
Associate Bursar
jpisciot@iit.edu
with "Last Term — One Term Registration Appeal" in the subject line.
In your e-mail to the Associate Provost, please provide the following documentation:
- brief responses to statements or summary of actions taken in light of the questions listed above in the requirements section
Students will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of the Appeal request and notification of the results of the review from the Office of the Bursar.
Please note that it is the student's responsibility to ensure that all conversations with relevant offices are taking place in a timely manner to ensure the proper processing of this request.Upon notification of the results of the Appeal process, you may receive additional communications from the Offices of the Bursar, Financial Aid and the Registrar as a result of this decision.
