Appeals

Students placed on financial aid exclusion may appeal the denial of financial aid if extenuating circumstances are present. Students submit appeal forms to the Financial Aid Office explaining the circumstances, how these circumstances have changed, and their plan to maintain satisfactory academic progress if the appeal is approved. This form is available in the Financial Aid Office on the Athens Campus, the Student Affairs Office on the Elbert County Campus, the Student Affairs Office at the Walton County Center, or the Director's Office at the Greene County Campus. This form also is available on the college's website (www.athenstech.edu; select Current Students and then Financial Aid before selecting Forms and then Appeals. Click on the Request for Appeal of Financial Aid Exclusion to access the form.

The Financial Aid Office must receive appeal letters prior to the midpoint of the semester for which students are appealing their exclusion status. A committee of faculty and staff reviews all financial aid appeals. Students who are successful in appealing their financial aid exclusion will be placed on financial aid probation and may be required to meet requirements of an academic plan. During this probation period, they will be eligible to receive financial aid benefits. Students on financial aid probation must be making satisfactory academic progress at the end of the term for which the appeals committee approved the appeal and/or meeting requirements of academic plan. Otherwise, the Financial Aid staff will again place students on financial aid exclusion. Students who fail to make satisfactory academic progress and are therefore placed on financial aid exclusion will not be eligible to appeal the resulting financial aid exclusion. Students who are not successful in appealing their financial aid exclusion are not eligible to submit another appeal; all appeals are final.