Financial Aid Appeal Policy

The Financial Aid Office (FAO) administers federal, state, and private organization money to assist students from various economic backgrounds to meet their educational expenses. The college aid helps students and families to cover tuition and fees, room and board, books, and other coursework supplies as well as transportation. FAO’s goal is for students to concentrate on their academic goals and obtain a higher education through the various programs CC offers. If faculty/staff or students have questions regarding financial aid, please contact our office.

All students are encouraged to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), California Dream Act Application (CADAA), and Scholarships.

Students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) each semester throughout the academic year to continue to be eligible for certain financial aid awards. Maintaining SAP requires three elements:

1. Pace: Complete at least 67% of the units you attempt. 
2. GPA: Maintain a cumulative (overall) GPA of 2.0 or higher; and 
3. Maximum Timeframe: Complete your educational program within 150% of the standard timeframe for the program (include if you have obtained your BA degree).

If students do not meet one or more of the three elements for two consecutive semesters, then the student will not be eligible for certain financial aid awards. To be reinstated to be eligible for certain financial aid awards, students who experienced an extenuating circumstance beyond their control will need to submit an SAP Appeals Request form. A committee will determine if the appeal request is approved or denied or if additional documentation is needed.

Examples of extenuating circumstances include but are not limited to:

• Death in the family
• Serious illness
• Various reasons which were beyond the student's control 

Appeal Request Form

Student Process

To determine your eligibility for an appeal, students must complete the following steps:

1. Log in to your InsideCC account and verify your current status. If you find that your status is suspended or you have reached the maximum program limit, click on the Appeal Request Form. Allow 3-5 business days for the request to show up in your Inside CC Portal. You will be notified via email once the request is placed in your Verification Connection.
   1. Access your Verification Connection (wait for your email confirmation or 3-5 business days)
      1. Login to your InsideCC Portal
      2. Click on Financial Aid at the top right-hand corner
      3. Click on Eligibility
      4. Select 2024-2025 for the upcoming fall semester
      5. Click on Verification Connection
      6. If you have already created your account, you will be able to see your tasks. If you have not created one, you will be prompted to do so. Once created, you will be able to access your documents.
2. Schedule an appointment to acquire a signed Student Education Plan from an Academic Counselor or Educational Advisor. You will need to upload this plan to your student forms.
3. Complete The Key Components to the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Financial Aid Appeal Process and Understanding the Pell Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) and its Effect. If this is your first time, please register before logging into the portal. When registering for your FAtv account do not include the “@” in your student account.
   Once the sessions are completed, retain a copy of the sessions to upload to student forms. Log into your Student Forms (Verification Connection) account to submit an SAP Appeal in Verification Connection. The Appeal Packet must consist of the following: 
   • Proof of completion of The Key Components to the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Financial Aid Appeal Process and Understanding the Pell Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) and its Effect.
     • Or attend our Satisfactory Academic Workshop, virtually or in-person. 
   • A typewritten statement explaining the circumstances that led to the student's inability to meet SAP standards, including an explanation outlining circumstances and what steps have been taken to allow the student to meet SAP standards in the future.
   • Additional supporting documentation (i.e., death certificate, letter(s) from doctor(s), medical records, divorce decree, etc.)
   • A signed Student Education Plan completed by an Academic Counselor/Educational Advisor to upload to student forms.

Appeal Submission

Appeals must be submitted to Verification Connection.

Notice of Appeal Status

• Submission of an appeal DOES NOT GUARANTEE a reinstatement of financial aid. If an appeal is approved, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Appeal Probation and will be reinstated for Financial Aid eligibility. Approved appeals will clearly state the condition(s) for eligibility and/or reinstatement. 
• Only one financial aid appeal submission per semester, per student. Students who submit more than one appeal must provide differing extenuating circumstances in subsequent appeal(s). Or provide proof of completion of Satisfactory Academic Progress, unless otherwise instructed by your technician. Allow 2-3 weeks for appeal to be reviewed. 

Deadlines for Submission

• SUMMER: 7/22/2024
• FALL: 12/02/2024

*Student must be enrolled in the semester which they are requesting their appeal.

Contact Information

Email: cc_faid@cerrocoso.edu

Phone: (760) 384-6221

Fax: (760) 384-6321

Hours of Operation

M-Th 7:30 am-6:00 pm, F-8:00 am-12:00 pm