{"id":298,"date":"2025-01-28T16:56:56","date_gmt":"2025-01-28T16:56:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.golive.clarku.edu\/financial-aid\/?page_id=298"},"modified":"2025-11-18T16:52:47","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T21:52:47","slug":"appeal","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/financial-aid\/appeal\/","title":{"rendered":"Appeal Your Financial Aid"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"intro\">Returning undergraduate students have the opportunity to submit a financial aid appeal after your financial aid award has been determined if you have special or unusual circumstances.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fforms.cloud.microsoft%2Fr%2FZgveg1sQZU%3Forigin%3DlprLink&amp;data=05%7C02%7CMeKennedy%40clarku.edu%7Cd23d181917084aa71dbe08de26ec5fbb%7Cb5b2263d68aa453eb972aa1421410f80%7C0%7C0%7C638990993828398339%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=xg1W6HiDeANYfDEtCE9zzZ1MEqwkdaHunJRSvUVH90s%3D&amp;reserved=0\">financial aid appeal<\/a> form is open for the spring semester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This appeal for is for returning undergraduate students only.&nbsp; Incoming undergraduate students should contact the Office of Financial Assistance at&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:finaid@clarku.edu\">finaid@clarku.edu<\/a>&nbsp;and graduate students should contact the department under which you are studying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What is professional judgment?<\/summary>\n<p>When there are special or unusual circumstances that impact your federal student aid eligibility, federal regulations give a financial aid administrator discretion or professional judgment on a case-by-case basis and with adequate documentation to make adjustments to the data elements on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that impact your Student Aid Index (SAI) to gain a more accurate assessment of your family\u2019s ability to contribute to your cost of education. The Department of Education does not have the authority to override a school\u2019s professional judgment decision.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Special Circumstances<\/summary>\n<p>Special circumstances can impact a student\u2019s financial aid situation, including certain living arrangements or family situations that may change during your time at Clark University. Special circumstances may result in the need to clarify your situation with the Office of Financial Assistance to potentially have adjustments made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Special circumstances include, but are not limited to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Change in employment status, income, or assets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Change in parent marital status (separation, divorce)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Death of a parent<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tuition expenses at an elementary or secondary school<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Medical, dental, or nursing home expenses paid that are not covered by insurance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Child or dependent care expenses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Severe disability of the student or other member of the student\u2019s household<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Unusual Circumstances<\/summary>\n<p>Unusual circumstances most often require an adjustment to a student\u2019s dependency status and the information they provide on their FAFSA form based on a unique situation, such as being homeless or in foster care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;FAFSA Simplification Act&nbsp;distinguishes between different categories of professional judgment by amending section 479A of the Higher Education Act (HEA). You are a&nbsp;dependent&nbsp;student if you are under the age of 24 and answered \u201cNo\u201d to the dependency questions on the FAFSA.&nbsp;This definition means your parents must provide their financial information on the FAFSA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, Clark University recognizes that you may face challenging family circumstances and need to request reconsideration of your dependency status.&nbsp;Students who are unable to complete the FAFSA with parental information can request a&nbsp;dependency override&nbsp;by contacting the Office of Financial Assistance.&nbsp;A dependency override occurs when the financial aid counselor exercises professional judgement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Office of Financial Assistance reviews each request for a dependency override on a case-by-case basis. Requests are typically reviewed within ten business days.&nbsp; You will be notified by email to your Clark University address with the outcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The following are examples of unusual circumstances that may be considered for a dependency override:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Human Trafficking, as defined in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Legally granted refugee or asylum status<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An abusive family environment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Abandonment and\/or estrangement by parents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Incarceration or institutionalization of both parents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Parents cannot be located<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>We are unable to take into consideration the following reasons for a dependency override:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Parents\u2019 refusal to contribute to the student\u2019s education<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Parents\u2019 refusal to provide information on the FAFSA or verification documents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Parents\u2019 refusal to provide income documentation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Required Documentation<\/summary>\n<p>Requests for a dependency override must be in writing and provide details of your&nbsp;unusual&nbsp;circumstances; focus on the relationship between you and your parents. Requests must include letters or other supporting documentation from at least two third parties, such as school counselors, clergy or family physicians. &nbsp;Other documentation that may support an appeal for a dependency override may include court orders, restraining orders or other legal judgments.&nbsp; Additional information may be requested.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns contact-area is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:42%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover has-custom-content-position is-position-bottom-left\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-153\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/financial-aid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/01\/fin-aid-contact-area.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\"\/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim wp-block-cover__gradient-background has-background-gradient has-gradient-2-gradient-background\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-cover-is-layout-639b5052 wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\"><div style=\"color:var(--clarku-color-white)\" class=\"eyebrow has-drop-shadow has-text-align-left\">Contact information<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-drop-shadow has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-a95423143e6311d9f2809e6a38a7c2fe\" id=\"h-office-of-financial-assistance\">Office of Financial Assistance<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group contact-text has-light-warm-gray-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>Office Location<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"icon map has-small-font-size\">Clark University<br>Office of Financial Assistance<br>950 Main Street<br>Worcester, MA 01610<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"icon tel has-small-font-size\">1-508-793-7478<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"icon fax\">1-508-793-8802<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"icon email has-small-font-size\"><a href=\"mailto:finaid@clarku.edu\">finaid@clarku.edu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Book your virtual appointment with our counselors<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"arrow\"><a href=\"https:\/\/outlook.office.com\/bookwithme\/user\/d3ec8dd09f1b4320a6a04b21e9a52d36%40clarku.edu?anonymous&amp;ismsaljsauthenabled\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/outlook.office.com\/bookwithme\/user\/d3ec8dd09f1b4320a6a04b21e9a52d36%40clarku.edu?anonymous&amp;ismsaljsauthenabled\">Book time with Peggy Spears<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/outlook.office.com\/bookwithme\/user\/73f7454eccf641bdaf1a39d9f8849b93%40clarku.edu\">Book time with Lauren Pizzo<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/outlook.office.com\/bookwithme\/user\/6364b90ce3a94821b702825ce8b2bd21%40clarku.edu?anonymous&amp;ismsaljsauthenabled\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/outlook.office.com\/bookwithme\/user\/6364b90ce3a94821b702825ce8b2bd21%40clarku.edu?anonymous&amp;ismsaljsauthenabled\">Book time with Dorothy Davidson<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull closer is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained has-background\" style=\"min-height:50rem;background-image:url(&apos;https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/financial-aid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/02\/fin-aid-closer.jpg&apos;);background-position:31% 41%;background-size:cover;\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group color has-white-color has-deep-red-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-d348be156f901ab2f605ec24efa1ef92 is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-c399be0d wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">Be a force for change.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Come study at a small research university with a strong liberal arts core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-clarku-clarku-block-tabs clarku__tabs_94b8fa46\"><ul class=\"clarku__tab-labels\" role=\"tablist\" aria-label=\"tabbed content\"><li id=\"\" class=\"clarku__tab-label active\" role=\"tab\">Undergraduate<\/li><li id=\"\" class=\"clarku__tab-label\" role=\"tab\">Graduate<\/li><\/ul><div class=\"clarku__tab-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-clarku-child-tab clarku__tab-panel\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"Undergraduate\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"\/undergraduate-admissions\/visit\/\">Visit<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-white-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"\/undergraduate-admissions\/apply\/early-decision\/\">Apply<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-d62f7dee07547218d5fcd6241ec7da8c\">Still curious? <a href=\"\/undergraduate-admissions\/connect\/request-information\/\">Request more information<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-clarku-child-tab clarku__tab-panel\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"Graduate\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"\/graduate-education\/request-info\/\">Inquire<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-white-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/gradapply.clarku.edu\/apply\/\">Apply<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Returning undergraduate students have the opportunity to submit a financial aid appeal after your financial aid award has been determined if you have special or unusual circumstances.&nbsp; The financial aid appeal form is open for the spring semester. This appeal for is for returning undergraduate students only.&nbsp; Incoming undergraduate students should contact the Office of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-298","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Appeal Your Financial Aid | Undergraduate Financial Assistance | Clark University<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/financial-aid\/appeal\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Appeal Your Financial Aid\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Returning undergraduate students have the opportunity to submit a financial aid appeal after your financial aid award has been determined if you have special or unusual circumstances.&nbsp; The financial aid appeal form is open for the spring semester. 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