Students who are coded by the Federal Processor as 359 on the FAFSA and have not received a Pell Grant with WAU, or who are a Code 360 and did not complete coursework during the valid academic year they also received a Pell Grant, will be required to submit a letter of explanation and appropriate documentation for review by a financial aid advisor.
The letter and documentation must show an extraordinary or unusual case that occurred, which prevented the student from being successful in their studies.
Situations such as family problems, serious illness for the student or an immediate family member, severe or unusual circumstances, or extreme personal, emotional distress will be considered, and third-party documentation must be presented. Such documentation might be a doctor’s statement in the case of illness or a copy of the death certificate in the case of the loss of a close family member.
Student’s Responsibilities
- Write a letter to the Financial Aid Office describing why academic credit was not earned during any period in which you received a Pell Grant and didn’t complete your courses/studies.
- The letter should include how the circumstance leading to your academic difficulties has been resolved and the steps you have taken to ensure your academic success. This letter serves to inform the Financial Aid Office of your previous situation and shows you are ready and able to achieve academic requirements.
- Obtain third-party documentation of your situation from a physician, psychologist, or other source approved by the Financial Aid Office. The documentation serves as independent verification of your circumstances. While a letter from a family member is generally not sufficient, hospital discharge papers, a letter from your employer, a police report, or documentation from a human services agency may suffice.
- Submit these items to the Financial Aid Office. Keep a copy for your records.
The Financial Aid Office’s Responsibilities
- Verify your situation meets federal requirements and that appropriate documentation of the extenuating circumstance has been included.
- If all of the above requirements have been met, WAU will approve the appeal and notify you. If the request is approved, you will be expected to follow the federal Satisfactory Academic Progress chart as outlined by federal aid requirements.
- If any of the above requirements have not been met, the Financial Aid Office will seek additional information, if appropriate, or notify you in writing that the appeal was not approved.
If the request is denied, you have the right to question or appeal the decision to the Financial Aid Office.
You may regain eligibility by attending one term at Washington Adventist University without federal aid assistance, passing each course for the term and requesting the appeal be reconsidered. Likewise, if you choose to attend elsewhere and submit a transcript showing that you have been successful in your studies, you may ask for the appeal to be reconsidered.
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