СºüÀêÖ±²¥

how to submit an appeal

Before You Begin

This process is for students appealing a change to a scholarship administered by the Office of Scholarships & Financial Wellness. You can appeal for scholarships such as the Academic Excellence Scholarship, STAR Student, Valedictorian/Salutatorian, University Transfer Academic, Phi Theta Kappa, and several others.

Note that the Luckyday Scholarship, Honors Scholar, Honors College Discovery Scholarship, and Honors College Presidential Scholarship cannot be appealed through this application.

You will need to complete everything in one sitting, all details and documentation must be submitted at the same time. Once the form is saved, you cannot make changes online. If changes are needed after submission, you must email scholars@usm.edu and include your student ID number.

Step 1: Find the Appeal in Your To-Do List

Log in to your student portal (SOAR) and go to the Student Dashboard. Look for your "To Dos" list. You may see items such as "Appeal Scholarship – Expired" listed there. Click on that item to open the appeal details. You will see information about why your scholarship was affected, the deadline for submission, and a "Submit an Appeal" link. Click "Submit an Appeal" to begin.

Step 2: Select Your Appeal Option

On the Scholarship Appeals page, your name and student ID will appear at the top. Under "Scholarship Appeal Option," click the dropdown menu and select "Loss of Scholarship."

Step 3: Check the "I Agree" Boxes

You will see four acknowledgment statements that you must agree to before proceeding. Check all four "I Agree" boxes confirming that you:

• Are currently enrolled in the 15 credit hours required by the scholarship stipulation agreement
• Understand that the committee uses your FAFSA information to determine financial need, and that if a FAFSA is not on file, you are responsible for providing documentation of financial burden
• Know you are responsible for providing valid documentation to support the circumstances of your appeal
• Are the student completing this form, not a parent or advisor

Step 4: Select the Scholarship(s) You Are Appealing

Below the agreement checkboxes, a table will show the scholarships available for appeal (for example, STAR Student and Academic Excellence Tuition). Check the box next to each scholarship you wish to appeal.

Step 5: Write Your Appeal Reason

In the "Appeal Reason" text box, write a letter addressed to the Scholarship Appeals Committee. Your letter should explain your extenuating circumstances. Be specific and thorough, the committee uses this information to evaluate your appeal.

A strong appeal letter typically includes:

• An acknowledgment of what happened academically
• The specific circumstances that affected your performance
• What you have done since then to address those circumstances (e.g., meeting with an advisor, adjusting your course load, using tutoring services)
• Why the scholarship is important to your continued academic success
• Why you should be considered for the award

The committee keeps all records and documentation confidential. Once you have written your appeal reason, click "Continue to Upload Documents."

Step 6: Upload Supporting Documentation

The committee requires at least one supporting document. You must upload documentation that supports the circumstances described in your appeal reason. Acceptable documents include medical, psychological, financial, academic, legal, and/or family records (such as an obituary or other relevant personal documents). Note that proof of membership in an organization is not sufficient documentation.

To upload:

Click the "Upload File" button next to "Scholarship Appeal Document."
A File Attachment window will open. Click "My Device" to browse for your file.
Select your file. Name your file clearly. It is recommended to include your W-number (e.g., w1234567_appeal_letter.docx).

Once the upload bar shows "Upload Complete," click "Done." Important: Click "Save Files Uploaded" after each file you upload. This is what enables the "Add Additional Document" option if you need to attach more than one file.

If you need to upload additional supporting documents (such as a medical record in addition to your appeal letter), click "Add Additional Document" and repeat the upload steps. Once all files are uploaded and saved, the "Successfully Uploaded Files" section will list every file you have submitted. Verify they are all there.

When finished, click "Continue to Signature Page."

Step 7: Sign and Submit

On the signature page, you will see a final notice reminding you that decisions are final and not subject to further appeal. Check the "Prompt Option Agreement" checkbox to certify that all the information you have provided is complete and accurate. The Agreement Date will populate automatically. Click "Save Signature Information" to submit your appeal.

After Submission

Once submitted, your To-Do list will update to show "Scholarship Appeal Pending." Keep an eye on your student portal and your USM email for communication from the Office of Scholarships & Financial Wellness. If you have any questions, contact them directly at scholars@usm.edu.