| The Committee on Financial Aid to
Students attempts to make the best decision possible with the
information provided in the financial aid application materials.
Financial aid at Northwestern is need-based, and the University
believes that the financing of the undergraduate education is
the family's responsibility to the extent that they are able.
However, after receiving the Financial Aid Announcement, a family
may find that they are unable to manage their expected contribution
due to changes in their financial circumstances. If this is
the case, a family may submit an appeal to the Committee for
reconsideration of their financial aid decision. The Committee
will consider circumstances which affect the family's ability
to contribute such as, but not limited to, a reduction in parental
income, loss of employment, medical expenses not covered by
insurance, or support of an elderly parent.
The regulations governing financial aid
programs allow financial aid administrators to exercise professional
judgment in re-evaluating aid eligibility provided that appropriate
documentation is on file. If a family has new or additional
information regarding their financial circumstances, it should
be submitted in writing along with supporting documentation.
You may be asked to complete the Parental
Monthly Expense Statement and, if necessary, the Loss
of Wages Statement to aid us in our review. In some cases,
sufficient time must pass before we can review your appeal.
For example, if a family encounters a loss of income during
fall term, the Committee will wait to review the reduction
in income until the end of the calendar year when W-2s or
other tax materials are available to document the loss.
If the Committee believes that additional
assistance is appropriate, it may be offered in the form of
loan, employment or scholarship. Sometimes, the assistance
is offered one term at a time. Families should be aware that
funding is limited. The Committee's ability to respond to
changes in financial circumstances is dependent upon the availability
of aid resources and remaining student eligibility.
Each year the Committee will begin reviewing
appeals for the upcoming academic year in mid-July, after
all initial aid decisions have been completed. Students wishing
to appeal their summer earnings should wait until the end
of summer and provide appropriate documentation. Shortfalls
in a student's summer earnings are offset by increases in
loan and/or work. The Office of Financial Aid will accept
appeals until mid-April of the current academic year. Response
time for appeals is typically three weeks from date of receipt.
Please note that faxed or e-mailed appeals
will not be accepted for review by the Committee.
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