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Financial Aid Exception Appeals

Financial Aid Exception Appeals may be submitted for the following:

  • Denial of a Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal. You must receive a denial decision communication for your original SAP Appeal before completing a Financial Aid Exception Appeal.
  • Loss of an Institutional Scholarship or Grant (UNF Presidential, Jacksonville Commitment, etc.) due to not meeting scholarship renewal requirements or scholarship enrollment requirements
  • Loss or change in State Scholarship or grants (e.g. Bright Futures) due to not meeting state renewal requirements

When submitting a Financial Aid Exception Appeal, the following must be included:

  • Signed and dated student statement explaining extenuating circumstances beyond the student's control which prevented academic success
  • Documentation to support the circumstances cited in your student statement
  • If applicable, the Financial Aid Exception Appeal Supplemental Form, completed by your Academic Advisor

The Financial Aid Exception Appeal Committee will not consider appeals submitted without supporting documentation. Submission of an Appeal does not guarantee approval. The decision of the Financial Aid Exception Appeal Committee is final; no additional appeal review levels are provided. 

How to submit a Financial Aid Exception Appeal: 

  • Log into your myWings account
  • Choose Student on side menu, then Student Resources
  • Click the Banner Self-Service tile 
  • In the Financial Aid section, select Financial Aid Exception Appeal
  • Select a term, aid year (e.g. 2025-2026) and reason for appeal
  • Attach applicable documentation to support your Appeal. Multiple documents may be attached and submitted at the same time
  • You must click Submit

After submission, allow up to 15 business days for review by the Financial Aid Exception Appeal Committee. When the Committee has reviewed your appeal or requests additional documentation, a communication will be sent to your secure UNF email.

Special or Unusual Circumstances 

If you feel that you have special or unusual circumstances that are not reflected on your FAFSA, contact One-Stop Student Services to discuss your specific situation. 

The answers to the most commonly asked questions regarding the Financial Aid Exceptions Appeal process are posted below. For additional questions, contact One-Stop Student Services.

  • What is a statement of support or supporting documentation?

    Supporting documentation comes in a variety of forms and depends on the appeal type and extenuating circumstances cited in your student statement. Students appealing based on a death in the family should submit a legible copy of the death certificate, funeral program or obituary. Students appealing based on health reasons need to submit medical documentation. In general, any claim of an extenuating circumstance that hindered a student’s academic success must be backed up with concrete documentation.

    Statements of support may be submitted with a Financial Aid Exception Appeal and can come from a variety of sources. For example, students may choose to seek a statement of support from an academic advisor, professor or employer. A student experiencing serious medical issues may choose to seek a statement of support from a healthcare professional. Statements of support should be signed, dated and printed on official letterhead. The Financial Aid Exception Appeal Supplemental Form may be completed by your Academic Advisor to support circumstances for not meeting renewal or enrollment requirements for a scholarship or grant. Contact your Academic Advisor for more information on the supplemental form.

  • What other information should I provide?
    The decisions of the Financial Aid Exception Appeal Committee are final. Therefore, you should take the proper time to be sure your appeal is complete and provides a thorough account of any extenuating circumstances that may have hindered your academic progress. Students must submit a signed and dated student statement, as well as statements of support from appropriate sources based on the circumstances cited in their appeal. Any documentation that strengthens an appeal should be submitted.
  • Can I submit multiple Financial Aid Exception Appeals?

    While we support your right to submit a Financial Aid Exception Appeal, we caution you that the likelihood of a subsequent appeal being approved based on identical circumstances is low. You should submit a subsequent appeal if the reason for that appeal differs from the reasoning for your first appeal. If the Financial Aid Exception Appeal Committee previously denied your appeal and you resubmit the exact same appeal it will not be reviewed by the Committee as decisions are final.

  • My Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal was denied for lack of extenuating circumstances. Can I appeal to the Enrollment Services Appeals Committee?
    Yes, you have the right to appeal your SAP denial with the Financial Aid Exception Committee. However, the student statement you submit with your appeal must include the extenuating circumstances that hindered your academic performance. If you did not include extenuating circumstances in your SAP appeal because you did not think it was necessary, be sure your Financial Aid Exception Appeal includes a detailed explanation of the circumstances that led to your Satisfactory Academic Progress suspension and supporting documentation to corroborate those circumstances. Remember that the decision of the committee is final.
  • What is a Graduation Contract?
    A Graduation Contract is a document that you complete with your academic advisor. The form is a true contract in that it should state the exact number of credit hours required to complete your degree. The total credit hours should represent only those needed to complete your degree program without additional minors, concentrations or courses that are not needed to fulfill the requirements of your degree program.
  • What happens if I withdraw from or fail a course after my Graduation Contract is approved?

    Students who withdraw from, fail or receive an incomplete (I) grade in a course after having a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal and Graduation Contract approved, or receive a low term GPA will return to a suspended status immediately after the next SAP evaluation period. In order to be considered eligible for financial aid, the student would then need to file a new SAP Appeal and Graduation Contract on the basis of new extenuating circumstances.

  • I withdrew/failed a class last term that broke my Graduation Contract, resulting in a Satisfactory Academic Progress Suspension. Can I appeal?
    While you have the right to appeal, please note that the Graduation Contract students are required to sign as part of the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal specifically reads, "This contract is binding. Incompletes, withdrawals, course failures or failure to meet minimum SAP GPA requirements from this point forward will result in a breach of this contract and doing so will result in the student being immediately returned to Financial Aid Suspension." Therefore, if there were no extenuating circumstances beyond your control leading to the withdrawal or failing grade, the Financial Aid Exception Appeal Committee will not consider your appeal.