Financial Aid

Appeals

 

Important appeal dates and deadlines

 

You may submit a Financial Aid appeal at any point throughout the semester up until the established deadline for the term. Financial Aid Appeals will be collected, but not processed until grades from the previous term have been posted by the Admissions & Records Office. The appeal process may take up to eight weeks depending on the volume of appeals submitted. You will receive an email in your Insite with the determination of your appeal.

ALL DECISIONS MADE BY THE APPEAL COMMITTEE ARE FINAL.

Last day to submit an appeal: 

Fall 2022 -  November 7, 2022                      
Spring 2023 - April 17, 2023
Summer 2023 - July 24, 2023

 

How do I start the appeal process?

 

  1. Apply for the FAFSA/Dream Act (see the Types of Aid tab for how to find the applications
  2. Log in to Insite Portal and use the provided link for your appeal. If you have not received the link, you may access the appeal by clicking on the button below
  3. Determine the type of appeal you need to complete: 

    --Maximum Time Frame appeal if you have 90+ units

    --Satisfactory Academic Progress appeal if your cumulative GPA is under a 2.0 and/or your cumulative completion of courses/pace is less than 67% 

  4. Complete the application ensuring you have check marked the correct semester and the correct type of appeal (if you are on suspension for both Maximum Time Frame and SAP please checkmark the box for Maximum Time Frame, and follow the steps toward completing that type of appeal)
  5. Follow the correct steps according to the type of appeal (see below for more information on the steps to take based on the type of suspension)
  6. Check your Insite Portal emails periodically. The Appeals Committee will request information if anything is missing. The Appeals Committee takes six to eight weeks to process the appeals. Unfortunately, this process cannot be expedited.

 

Maximum Time Frame (MTF) Excess Units Appeal Process: 

 

Students who exceed the maximum time frame for their educational goal will not be eligible for further financial aid. Students who have a Bachelor's Degree and those students who have already received 6 or more full-time equivalent years of Federal Pell Grant aid are not eligible for further Federal Pell Grant aid. These students may only be eligible for fee waivers, Federal Work Study, and Federal Student Loans. They must have an approved appeal on file to receive Federal Student Loans and Federal Work Study.  In order to maintain financial aid eligibility, if an Excess Units Appeal is approved, the student may only take courses listed on the approved student educational plan submitted with the appeal form

Step 1: 

Complete the online session and quiz marked "Understanding Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and the Financial Aid Appeal Process"  at http://losmedanos.get-counseling.com/ This is the only quiz that will count toward completing your application. 

You will be required to create a new account if this is your first time taking the online session.

Step 2: 

You must meet with an academic counselor. All MTF students must have a Comprehensive Educational Plan (CEP) completed and archived by a counselor on InSite. Your CEP must include the courses you are enrolled in for the current semester and reflect only the courses that are required to complete your program of study. If you do not have a current CEP, you must schedule a one-hour appointment with an academic counselor. If a CEP cannot be found by the Appeal Committee on InSite, your appeal will be considered incomplete/denied.

Step 3:  

To submit your Spring 2023 appeal, please use the following link (must be enrolled in classes)

2022-2023 Financial Aid Appeal Form

Last day to submit an appeal:  

Fall 2022 -  November 7, 2022                      
Spring 2023 - April 17, 2023
Summer 2023 - July 24, 2023

 

 

 

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal Process:  

 

Step 1: 

Complete the online session and quiz marked "Understanding Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and the Financial Aid Appeal Process"  at http://losmedanos.get-counseling.com/

This is the only quiz that will count toward completing your application. 

You will be required to create a new account if this is your first time taking the online session.

 Step 2: 

Provide a Personal Statement that addresses the following key points:

Explain your extenuating circumstances, which made it difficult for you to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements (circumstances beyond the student’s control). You must attach supporting documentation to this appeal form (i.e. doctor’s statement, police report, death certificates, and other documents pertaining to your circumstances). Failure to do so will result in an automatic denial of your appeal.

Explain your resolution to your extenuating circumstance. What steps have you taken (or are you planning to take) to help you meet satisfactory academic progress in the future?

Step 3:  

To submit your Spring 2023 appeal, please use the following link (must be enrolled in classes):
2022-2023 Financial Aid Appeal Form
Last day to submit an appeal:  

Fall 2022 -  November 7, 2022                      
Spring 2023 - April 17, 2023
Summer 2023 - July 24, 2023

Please be sure to attach all required documents to your appeal form.

 

Examples of extenuating circumstances for SAP appeals:

 

1.

A student who has lost eligibility due to failure to meet SAP standards may file a financial aid appeal. An appeal will be reviewed only for documented "extenuating circumstances" beyond the student's control. Appeals not meeting the "extenuating circumstances" category will not be accepted. Submission of an appeal does NOT GUARANTEE the reinstatement of financial aid. Therefore, students should be prepared to pay for their books and other school-related expenses pending the outcome of their appeal. If an appeal is approved, the student will receive financial aid for the semester on the next scheduled payment date following the approval. Appeal process may take up to eight weeks depending on the volume of appeals.

2.

Students placed on Suspension status may file an appeal for consideration of reinstatement of financial aid eligibility. The following are examples of reasons a student may file an appeal:

Circumstance Required Documents
Serious physical or emotional illness of student or immediate family member Attach medical documentation confirming onset and duration of illness or condition
Death in the family Attached copy of obituary, funeral notice, or Death Certificate
Accident or injury to student or immediate family member Attach medical and/or other documentation verifying the date and duration of the occurrence
Disasters affecting student's attendance Attach documentation of insurance claims or other 3rd party information verifying location and date and nature of disaster
Loss or change of employment Attach letter from the employer verifying the circumstances and dates of loss or change in employment
Change in academic major, or exceeded maximum time frame Detailed explanation disclosing reasons for change in major and reasons for exceeding the posted unit limitation.
Extenuating circumstances that were beyond the student's control Any documents that would help verify student's circumstances. Should include date and duration.
 

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Lack of supporting documentation constitutes an incomplete appeal and will be denied for review.
  •  Failure to submit all documentation or comply with all terms of the Contra Costa Community College SAP Policy will result in an appeal denial. 
  • Students will be limited to submitting one (1) appeal per semester. All decisions made by the Appeal Committee are FINAL. The student will have to wait to resubmit a new appeal for the next semester. 
For more detailed information regarding our SAP policy, please refer to: 

CCCCD Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy 

 

Disclaimer:

The information on this web site is compiled from various State, Federal, and college sources. It is intended to provide current and prospective students and their parents a tool to help make informed decisions about financial aid options while attending LMC. This information is subject to change due to changes in federal or state regulations, and/or district and college policy and procedures.