Appeals

Students who have lost their eligibility for US Federal Aid funding may appeal if one or more of the following circumstances exist:

1. Death of a family member (parent, spouse, sibling, dependent child etc)
2. The extended illness of the student – extended illness is defined as a documented chronic or recurring medical or emotional illness that causes the student to be absent from class at least 15 days in both of the two most recent academic periods
3. The extended illness of a family member that places hardship on the student. Immediate family member includes parent, spouse, sibling or dependent
4. Mitigating circumstances as determined by the Financial Aid Appeals committee.

Students who lose their eligibility for Federal Student Aid for failure to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress may access a two tier Appeal process (FAA then the USFA Appeals Committee) to ensure that the University is not placed at risk of claims of bias or discrimination.

If the student fails to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, the USFA Advisor will notify the student by email with a Warning, or of their ineligibility for Federal Loan funds within 2 business days (Precluding designated NSW public holidays, weekends and periods of University shutdown) after the release of results.

In the first instance an Appeal against Federal Student Aid Suspension must be lodged with the Financial Aid Advisor within five (5) business days of notification of suspension (7 business days after results are released). The appeal must be accompanied by the student’s statement, supporting documentation from at least three unrelated professionals (including their names, qualifications, dates, email address and phone contact information). A response to this first appeal will be provided within 5 business days.

Appeals Contact Information

Students should submit Student Academic Progress Appeal Form to:

US Financial Aid Director
UTS International
Level 3A, UTS Tower Building
15 Broadway
University of Technology, Sydney
Ultimo, NSW 2007
Australia

Or mail to:

US Financial Aid Director
UTS International
University of Technology, Sydney
P.O Box 123
Ultimo, NSW 2007
Australia

Email: usfinaid@uts.edu.au

If the student wishes to lodge a second appeal, it must be submitted within 5 business days of the first ruling. This appeal will be considered by the USFA Appeals Committee, comprised of the USFA Director, Coordinator of International Student Services, and a representative from the Registrar’s office.

The Financial Aid Director as, chair of the committee, will respond to the appeal within 10 (ten) business days informing you of the decision.

Students who fail to achieve Satisfactory Academic Progress and lose eligibility and who are unsuccessful at Appeal can regain eligibility once they achieve Satisfactory Academic Progress in a future teaching period; however, they cannot regain eligibility simply by being out of school for a set amount of time or by paying for a set number of classes themselves.