Budget Adjustment Request

The Office of Student Financial Aid Services understands that students may incur unexpected, yet required expenses that are not accounted for in the annual cost of attendance.  Should this happen students can submit a UCH Budget Adjustment Request to have their budget increased.  The result of this adjustment would be an increase in a students financial aid.  More details regarding this process are listed below.

Reasons to Request an Adjustment

There are several reasons why you may find yourself in need of an adjustment to your budget.  Some include;

    1. Away-rotation expenses:
      1. Travel expenses
      2. Lodging expenses
    2. Residency expenses:
      1. Travel expenses
      2. Lodging expenses
      3. ERAs application expenses
    3. Out of pocket medical expenses
    4. Non-routine car repair

These are some of the more common requests and this list is not comprehensive.  If you are not sure if your request qualifies, ask us!

Things to Consider

It is important to consider all of your options before requesting an adjustment of your budget.  Please consider the following:

  1. Any additional aid offered due to a successful request will be federal student loans (unsub, health or PLUS loan) AND will increase your overall indebtedness.
  2. Requests must be submitted in the same term as the expense occurred.  If you submitted ERA's applications in the fall term the request must also be submitted in the fall term.
  3. Receipts for all purchases must be included.  Make sure the receipt includes the date of purchase and what is it for; travel, lodging etc.
  4. Some expenses are already part of the budget.  Check the cost of attendance before you submit to see if your expense is already covered.
  5. The decision of the Office of Student Financial Aid Services is final.

Steps to Submit a Request

  1.  Complete the Request for UCH Budget Adjustment form
  2.  Submit all receipts with an explanation of the request via the secure document portal.  Please do not use e-mail.
  3.  Documents are reviewed within 1-3 business days.  During the review process you may be contacted by an officer with questions or requests for clarification.
  4.  Once a decision has been made you will be contacted by an officer with the outcome and any instructions.  You may be asked to complete a graduate PLUS loan application at studentaid.gov
  5.  If you accept the outcome you will receive a system generated e-mail notifying you of a change to your aid once the officer has made the appropriate adjustment.
  6.  Any refund owed will be issued by the bursar's office in the same manner as is on file (direct deposit or a physical check).