If a student athlete's athletic grant-in-aid is reduced, canceled or not renewed during the period of the award, the student-athlete has the opportunity for a hearing. Student-athletes will have 10 business days from the date of the letter from the Director of Scholarships & Financial Aid notifying them of the reduction or non-renewal decision to request an appeal of that decision. Requests for appeal must be made in writing to the Director of Scholarships & Financial Aid: Student-Athlete Appeal Petition Form.
Upon receipt of the written request for appeal, the Director of Financial Aid will promptly convene the Athletic Grant-In-Aid Appeals Committee to address the appeal. The committee shall use good faith efforts to make a final decision within 5 business days of receiving the written appeal. The committee shall evaluate whether the reduction/non-renewal decision was reasonable and consistent with the grant –in – aid certificate requirements and expectations. The committee’s decision will be determined by majority vote. Once a decision is made, the committee will notify both parties in writing of the final decision. All decisions of the committee are final.
In the event a hearing is requested by the Athletic Grant-In-Aid Appeals Committee, the Director of Scholarships & Financial Aid will notify the student-athlete and the head coach of the date and time of the hearing.
The Athletic Grant-In-Aid Appeals Committee will be comprised of the following individuals from the following office:
- Director of Scholarships & Financial Aid (Chair)
- Chief Student Affairs Officer
- Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
The student-athlete will be given the opportunity to present the basis for his/her appeal after which the Head Coach (or his/her designee) will present the basis for the reduction/non-renewal decision. It is preferable that all parties are present in person for the appeals hearing; however, if that is not possible, a party may participate in the hearing via teleconference.
During both presentations, only committee members shall be allowed to address or question the presenters. In addition to hearing from the student-athlete and the Head Coach (or his/her designee), the committee may interview any other witness or review any other documents or materials it deems relevant.
Each party will be able to bring one individual to the hearing to serve as a support person. The support person must be a full-time faculty, staff or religious university community member. That individual will be permitted only to observe the hearing; he/she shall not participate in the hearing in any way.
Once both sides have presented their position and the committee has collected and considered any other evidence it deems necessary, the committee will meet in private to make a decision on the appeal. The committee shall use good faith efforts to make a final decision within 5 business days of the hearing. The committee shall evaluate whether the reduction/non-renewal decision was reasonable and consistent with the grant –in – aid certificate requirements and expectations.
The committee’s decision will be determined by majority vote. Once a decision is made, the committee will notify both parties in writing of the final decision. All decisions of the committee are final.
Please know that the amount of your aid may change due to your enrollment status (i.e. moving from full time to part time, changing from undergraduate to graduate work, change in hours enrolled in graduate school, etc.).
