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Student Financial Services & Financial Aid: Procedures and Policies

Procedure: Financial Appeals

FINANCIAL APPEALS

Nipissing University can assist students in a variety of ways, including an assessment for financial appeals.

Acceptable Reasons:

A student may submit a financial appeal if they experience a serious documented medical illness or a death of an immediate family member that causes them to drop courses.  Some consideration may be given for other life crises outside of a students control; however, supporting documentation must be included.

Financial appeals are granted at the discretion of the Student Financial Services Department of Nipissing University and will be considered for a period of six months after the occurrence of the illness or death.

Unacceptable Reasons:

Being Unaware of the University Policies and Regulation: By the action of registration the student becomes bound by the policies and regulations of Nipissing University.  All students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with this information.

Being unaware of the academic versus financial drop deadlines: Financial deadlines are different than academic deadlines associated with dropping a course. Therefore, not meeting deadlines such as grade deadlines are not grounds for a financial appeal.

Not Attending Classes: Simply not attending classes or failing to drop unwanted courses are not sufficient grounds for a financial appeal.  You must also be aware that there are financial penalties for dropping courses after the start of classes (see the Refund Policy & Course Drop Deadlines). You are responsible for the full fee for any courses added to your record, regardless of when in the term you added them.

Financial Difficulties: If you experience difficulty keeping your student account in good financial standing, it is advised that you contact Student Awards and Financial Aid Office to discuss the financial resources available to you. You may e-mail them at: finaid@nipissingu.ca

Graduate Student Finishing Early in the Final Term: Aside from withdrawal from the program, Masters & PhD Students must register and pay per term, until graduation. Accordingly, there is no adjustment of fees for early completion within the last term of study.

How to Submit a Financial Appeal:

  1. If you haven't already done so, drop the course(s) for which you are requesting a credit/refund
  2. Contact Student Financial Services, finance@nipissingu.ca; you will be sent a link to the Financial Appeal form.
  3. Complete the form: Financial Appeal Guidelines & Form, and upload all relevant documents.
  4. You will be notified by email in 6 to 8 weeks of the outcome of your appeal, or once a decision has been made
  5. The decision of the Financial Appeals Committee is final.

Who is on the Financial Appeals Committee?

Financial Appeals Committee Members and Impartiality

The Financial Appeals Committee is composed of four members: Director of Finance;  Manager, Student Financial Services & Financial Aid; Accounts Receivable Financial Coordinator; and the Student Awards Coordinator.

The issues of fairness and impartiality of the Financial Appeal Committee are considered crucial. Therefore, a member of the Committee will be excluded from a particular appeal discussion when they feel that, in the circumstances, they are not sufficiently objective to evaluate the appeal, they have any emotional or financial interest in the outcome of the appeal, or they have any affiliation with either party of such a nature or proximity as to give the appearance of partiality or bias.

Financial Appeal Guidelines

This policy applies to all students attending Nipissing University who are charged full, or part time fees related to the enrollment in their academic program or individual courses. Financial Appeals apply to TUITION FEES ONLY and do not include ancillary or other fees, which will remain the responsibility of the student.  The administration of this form is born by the Nipissing University Student Financial Services Office, which reserves the right to make any necessary changes to this policy without notice. It is the sole responsibility of the student to submit a Financial Appeal. Please read the following guidelines carefully.

  1. All students are responsible for paying all applicable fees related to their program of study before the appeal process has begun. Students must also drop the courses in question, and/or withdraw from their program in order to be eligible.
  2. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the Nipissing University Fees Policy, the Payment Due Dates, Refund Policy and Schedule.
  3. Appeals will not be considered on the grounds that the student was unaware of or did not understand the University policies.
  4. Financial Appeals will not be considered past 6 months after the semester in which the fees apply.
  5. Financial Appeals will not be considered for completed courses, or courses the student intends to complete. Under special circumstance, exceptions to this guideline will be made upon supporting documentation being provided.
  6. Fees that have been paid through OSAP or other external funding may be refunded directly back to the funding agency.
  7. Financial Appeals will be considered when appropriate grounds exist for the appeal. The following is a list of appropriate grounds on which to base an appeal:
    1. Medical Reasons – Includes the unforeseen onset of a physical or psychological illness, condition, or crisis. Under these circumstances, students will need to provide all supporting medical documentation issued by a physician or psychologist.
    2. Compassionate Grounds – Includes extenuating circumstances such as eviction, death of a family member, or other life crises.
    3. Other Reasons– Includes an unforeseen event or circumstance that resulted in time delays/additional fees.
  8. All supporting documents must be included along with the Financial Appeal at the time of submission. Any additional information may not be accepted later.
  9. Financial Appeals can take 6-8 weeks to process. The student will be contacted once a decision has been made by the Nipissing University Financial Appeals Committee.
  10. Any information submitted during the Financial Appeal Process will be held private as per the Nipissing University Privacy Policy.

Student Financial Services
t: (705) 474-3450 x4419
e: finance@nipissingu.ca

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