Appeals

Semester Hour Completion Requirement and Duration of Eligibility Limitation

The Office of Financial Assistance Services notifies students failing to meet either or both of these standards in writing. To appeal, a student must complete the University of Miami's Academic Progress Appeal Form. This petition requires the student to:

• Submit in writing an explanation of why he/she was unable to meet or maintain the academic progress requirements; and
• Submit all documentation that substantiates the student's circumstances, such as a letter from a doctor or copies of medical bills if a student cites medical reasons for not meeting the requirements.

Submit the Appeal Petition and all documentation to the Standards of Academic Progress (SOAP) Appeal Committee, c/o the Office of Financial Assistance Services. All appeals should be submitted no later than 30 calendar days from notice of ineligibility.

Semester Hour Completion Requirement and Duration of Eligibility Limitation

Students who wish to appeal their dismissal for academic reasons must do so in writing to the School Academic Standing Committee within thirty (30) days of the notice of dismissal. Those who have been dismissed for academic reasons shall not be considered for readmission to any school at the University until at least two regular semesters have elapsed since their dismissal.

Automatic Restoration of Eligibility

New freshmen failing to meet the Semester Hour Completion Requirement at the completion of the first year of study are eligible for Automatic restoration of eligibility for non-scholarship financial assistance can be attained by completing, without financial assistance eligibility, coursework that brings the student into compliance with the Semester Hour Completion Requirement, or the student is readmitted to the University.

Definitions

• A. For purposes of this policy, an academic year is defined to be the combined summer sessions, the fall semester, and the spring semester, in that order.
• B. For Undergraduates, completed semester hours is the sum of University credits for which the student has earned a grade of A, B, C, D, or CR (including repeats). For Graduate Students, completed semester hours is the sum of University credits for which the student has earned a grade of A, B, C, or S. No other status in either category will be considered a completed semester hour.
• C. Hours attempted is defined as the sum of the hours for all University of Miami semester hours for which registration charges are incurred.

All appeals submitted to the Office of Financial Assistance Services are reviewed by the Standards of Academic Progress Appeals Committee. Decisions are made based upon the information provided by the student and a review of the student's academic record. All decisions made by the committee are final.

State of Florida Financial Aid Appeals

If a student does not meet the standards of academic progress for State of Florida financial aid, the student may submit a detailed letter of appeal documenting his/her situation.

Appeals may be granted only if the student failed to meet academic progress requirements as a result of an emergency and/or illness.

In order to request an appeal, a student must provide written explanation to the State of Florida Appeal Committee, that describes the illness or emergency and letter from parents, explaining its impact on the student's performance, and verification of the circumstances (i.e. copy of a doctor's statement, hospital bill, police report, divorce documents, obituary/death certificate, bills related to the emergency, etc.). The emergency or illness affecting the student's academic performance, however, must occur within the semester/academic year which the student failed to maintain sufficient academic progress.

Incomplete credit courses are not acceptable for the State of Florida Financial Aid. Students with incomplete courses, do not qualify for State Aid unless emergency or illness is applicable.

All documentation and the Academic Progress Appeal Form should be mailed to the State of Florida Appeal Committee, c/o the Office of Financial Assistance Services. State of Florida appeals should be submitted no later than 30 days from notice of ineligibility. All decisions by the committee are final.

Helpful Hints for State of Florida Appeals