Cost of Attendance Appeals for Graduate and Professional Students

A Cost of Attendance (COA) appeal is a formal request for a review of your financial aid package, specifically the Cost of Attendance component when you believe it does not accurately reflect your true educational expenses. As a graduate student, you may encounter various situations that impact your financial circumstances, and a COA appeal provides an opportunity to address these concerns. You can always view your current cost of attendance by logging into U-Online and navigating to Student Financial Services > Financial Aid Status > Cost of Attendance.

Common Reasons for COA Appeals

You may consider a COA appeal for the following reasons:

• Unforeseen Medical Expenses: If you incur significant medical expenses that are not covered by insurance.
• Dependent Care Costs: If you have dependents (e.g., children or elderly family members) and incur childcare or eldercare expenses.
• Housing: If you experience unexpected increases in rent or housing costs, move for clinical rotations, or feel that your rent cost is above the average.
• Transportation Costs: If you need to travel extensively for your program and face unexpected transportation expenses. Additionally, vehicle maintenance/repair can be considered.

This is not a full scope of things that can be covered in a cost of attendance appeal. If you have expenses that do not fit into these categories, reach out to Student Financial Services (SFS) for additional information.

Common Appeal Expenses That Can’t be Considered

You may not consider a COA appeal for the following reasons:

• Car Payments: The cost of purchasing a vehicle, i.e., ongoing car payments for a financed vehicle can’t be factored into a COA appeal.
• Purchase of a New Vehicle: Expenses related to buying a new vehicle, including down payments, are not considered eligible for COA adjustments.
• Student Loan Payments: Existing student loan payments, whether federal or private, are typically not included in the COA calculation, as they are considered separate from your educational expenses.
• Credit Card Debt: While credit card debt can be a financial burden, it is not a valid reason for a COA appeal. However, you are encouraged to seek financial counseling and explore strategies to manage and reduce your debt.
• Spouse's Expenses: The living expenses, debts, or financial obligations of a spouse are usually not considered in a COA.

Any matriculated student who is a financial aid recipient can submit a cost of attendance appeal, but they are more common for our in-person graduate and professional students. This information is geared toward assisting the in-person graduate programs. You must meet other financial aid eligibility requirements, such as being enrolled at least part-time and meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress criteria. If you are an undergraduate or online student reach out to SFS directly for assistance.

Steps to Submit a COA Appeal

1. Review University Policies: Familiarize yourself with the relevant University of New England policies, such as the terms and conditions governing financial aid, your cost of attendance, disbursement dates, etc.
2. Gather Documentation: Collect all relevant documentation to support your appeal, such as medical bills, lease agreements, childcare receipts, or any other evidence of exceptional circumstances.
3. Contact Financial Aid Office: Reach out to SFS to request to initiate your cost of attendance appeal. You will then be connected with the appropriate representative to facilitate this process.
4. Work with Your Financial Aid Advisor: After your initial outreach, there will likely be some back and forth over which expenses are eligible and what documentation/information is required. You will be directed where to upload the documentation.
5. Complete the Appeal Form: After reviewing your documentation, your cost of attendance appeal advisor will share the appeal form with you to formally request the increase if you are eligible. Complete the form as the advisor instructs you to. Once complete, adjustments will be made to your cost of attendance/loans as requested.

After You Submit

After submitting your COA appeal, the financial aid office will review your case. We may contact you for additional information if needed or if they find conflicting information. We reserve the right to request additional documentation in these instances before proceeding with your appeal. There are times when the submission of a document will prompt us to request additional documentation. Once all documentation and information has been collected, the cost of attendance appeals committee will consider the merits of your appeal and decide regarding adjustments to your financial aid package.

In the vast majority of cases, the increased cost of attendance will allow for increased loan eligibility, which is typically provided through the Graduate PLUS loan. You can always view up-to-date information on federal student loan interest and origination fee rates by viewing the Federal Loan Rates.

If your cost of attendance appeal is approved, additional loan amounts will be broken down by semester based on when the expenses are expected to be incurred. This can affect the dates that additional funds are received. Please refer to your program's disbursement date schedule for additional information. Refunds are typically processed within 7–10 days of a disbursement date, and a direct deposit account will allow you to receive your refund faster.

Tips for a Successful COA Appeal

• Prepare a comprehensive statement that explains your situation clearly.
• Be honest and thorough in explaining your circumstances.
• Provide clear and concise documentation to support your case.
• Meet all deadlines and follow the appeal process carefully as advised by SFS.
• Maintain open communication with the financial aid office throughout the process.
• Seek guidance from your financial aid advisor if you’re unclear on the next steps.
• Review your appeal for accuracy and completeness.
• Stay informed about changes in university policies.
• Contact SFS if your circumstances change.

If you have questions or need assistance with the Cost of Attendance appeal process contact the Student Financial Services Office at sfs@une.edu or by calling (207) 602-2342. Additionally, you can submit requests to meet with a financial aid advisor in person regarding your appeal by sending an email with your preferred meeting times.