Financial Assistance
Scholarship Opportunities for New Freshmen and Transfer Students
A separate application is required for the scholarships listed on the Financial Aid Scholarships Web site. Applicants should note the specific requirements and deadline dates listed. Students may request the Scholarships and Financial Aid Information for New Students entering Cleveland State University brochure and application from their high school guidance department, Cleveland State University Undergraduate Admissions, or Campus 411. It is recommended that all students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Part-Time Students
A large number of part-time students support themselves through full-time employment while working toward a degree. Depending on financial circumstances, part-time undergraduate students may qualify for federal, state and/or university financial assistance. Part-time students are also encouraged to file the FAFSA.
Renewals
Scholarships, grants, and loans are available annually as long as students maintain the required standards of academic progress and demonstrate financial need. Students must reapply for financial assistance each year.
Previous-year aid recipients should file the renewal application for federal student aid.
Concurrent Enrollment
Professional Judgment
- Introduction
- Adjustments to Cost of Attendance
- Changes in Dependency Status
- Adjustments to Expected Family Contribution Calculation
Introduction
This section defines the components of professional judgment decisions and the guidelines used by the Cleveland State University Financial Aid Office. Professional judgment represents a key element in the student financial assistance delivery system — that is the capacity for personal intervention by the Financial Aid Office in cases that merit individual attention. In these cases, the family's situation is weighed to render a professional judgment about the support the family can reasonably be expected to provide toward the student's educational expenses.
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Adjustments to Cost of Attendance
A student's assessed cost of attendance may be reviewed upon receipt of the completed Special Circumstance Form (http://www.csuohio.edu/financialaid/forms/07V91.pdf). Reviews will be conducted by the Appeal Committee. Students will be notified of the result of the appeal within 15 working days following the receipt of the appeal documents.
Circumstances that may merit a review include but are not limited to:
- special transportation expenses,
- special expenses related to a handicap,
- dependent/elder care,
- miscellaneous expenses.
Documentation of additional or unusual costs will generally consist of signed statements and documentation of the expense. A statement from an individual with specific knowledge of the expense, receipts of purchases, or other items necessary to substantiate the claim should be submitted with the request.
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Changes in Dependency Status
Requests for a dependency status override are considered by the Appeal Committee for applicants desiring to have their status changed from dependent to independent. Interested students should complete the Special Circumstance Form(http://www.csuohio.edu/financialaid/forms/). Requests should be received within 30 days of the beginning of any semester for consideration in that semester. The committee will notify students of its determination after the receipt and review of all requested documentation.
Circumstances meriting review may include but are not limited to:
- abandonment by parents, parents' whereabouts not known;
- student under 24 years of age, without legal dependents,
who has been married but is now divorced and is receiving no parental support; - other cases, based on individual merit.
Students requesting a dependency status review should submit copies of their parents' tax returns, unless the reviewer has determined that such information is not available (as in the case of abandonment). Students requesting review should also submit signed statements from their parents detailing the type and value of support provided the student during the appropriate calendar year(s) preceding the academic year in question.
If the parents are unable or unwilling to comply with the university's requests, the student will be required to document their claim. This documentation includes written support by an acceptable third party, such as a clergy, counselor, or other official.
Students requesting review will be required to document self-sufficiency and ability to meet basic living costs. Exceptions to the documentation requirement may be allowed at the discretion of the Appeal Committee, when documented mitigating circumstances exist. Unusual circumstances must always be explained in writing and corroborated by an outside source (social worker, counselor, other official).
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Adjustments to Expected Family Contribution Calculation
The expected family contribution (EFC) may be reviewed upon receipt of the completed Special Circumstance Form (located on our Web site at http://www.csuohio.edu/financialaid/forms/). Reviews will be conducted by the FAO Appeal Committee. Students will be notified of the results of the review within 15 working days after receipt of all documentation.
The Appeal Committee will assess the inclusion of an expected contribution from a non-custodial parent, a stepparent, or the parental support of an independent student. Nontaxable income and benefits will be assessed according to the standard methodology or modified as necessary to take into account special circumstances. If substantial assets are reported or uncovered, the Appeal Committee may inquire about the nature of the assets and consider them in the decision about the EFC to the education of the student from those assets.
Other elements may also be considered when assessing adjustments to the EFC calculation, for special circumstances that fall under one or more of the items below:
- dependency;
- medical/dental expenses not covered by other agency or insurance;
- elementary/secondary school expenses;
- other unusual expenses.
When appropriate, additional supporting documentation required by the Appeal Committee will be verified to be acceptable.
Adjustments to the elements assessed in the EFC calculation will be documented in the student's file with notations signed by a financial aid professional.