Financial Aid Cost of Attendance Budget Increase Process

Federal Regulations allow the financial aid office to increase a student's Financial Aid Cost of Attendance budget on a case-by-case basis. Students may submit Financial Aid Cost of Attendance budget increase requests primarily for the following reasons: computer purchase, child care expenses, out of pocket medical/dental expenses, and professional exams/licensing fees. If you are experiencing financial hardships outside of these reasons, you are encouraged to contact your financial aid counselor to discuss possible options.

If the Financial Aid Cost of Attendance budget increase is approved, this would allow you additional financial aid eligibility.  The Financial Aid Office reserves the right to reduce or deny a request based on the professional judgment of the financial aid appeals committee. 

Allowable Requests for Financial Aid Cost of Attendance Budget Increases:

Computer Purchase: The University of St. Thomas will permit (only once during your graduate school career) you to request an increase in your financial aid cost of attendance budget (maximum of $2,000) for out of pocket expenses incurred by you (the student) for the purchase of a computer or tablet. The Request for Cost of Attendance Budget Increase - Computer Purchase form must be completed and appropriate documentation attached. For this purchase to be considered educationally related the computer or tablet must be purchased no sooner than 30 days prior to the first official day of your first semester and no later than the beginning date of the first official day of your last semester. The documentation (a copy of the original proof of purchase) must include proof that you (the student) originally purchased the computer or tablet, the date of purchase, and the itemized details of purchase. The request to increase your financial aid cost of attendance budget should be submitted during the term in which you purchased this computer or tablet to be considered a current educational expense.

Child Care Expenses: The University of St. Thomas will permit you to request an increase in your financial aid cost of attendance budget (maximum of $375 per child per week) for dependent child care expenses incurred during periods of enrollment. 

The Request for Cost of Attendance Budget Increase - Child Care Expenses form must be completed and appropriate documentation attached no later than 30 days prior to your last day of courses in the applicable term. Documentation of child care expenses incurred by you (the student) for your dependent child(ren) while you attend school for the academic period is required. Documentation must be from the provider and indicate the weekly rate you (the student) pay/will pay and must list the name of the child(ren) receiving the care. Contact information of the provider must also be present. Allowable expenses must be incurred during periods of enrollment. You will be required to provide updated documentation for each new enrollment period (i.e. summer or any subsequent academic years). You may be required to show proof of payment (i.e. invoices/billing statements showing payments made, cancelled checks, bank statements) for these expenses at the end of each term to document total out of pocket costs incurred. The Graduate Financial Aid Office may follow up with the day care provider for additional information. 

Out of Pocket Medical/Dental Expenses: The University of St. Thomas will permit you to request an increase in your financial aid cost of attendance budget (maximum of $5,000) for out of pocket medical/dental expenses incurred during periods of enrollment. The Request for Cost of Attendance Budget Increase - Out of Pocket Medical/Dental form must be completed and appropriate documentation attached no later than 30 days prior to your last day of courses in the applicable term. Documentation of actual medical/dental expenses for you (the student) not covered by insurance and paid out of pocket is required. The documentation must show expenses paid during the same period of enrollment you are requesting an increase to your financial aid cost of attendance budget.

Professional Exam/Licensing Fees: The University of St. Thomas will permit you to request an increase in your cost of attendance budget for out of pocket expenses paid by you (the student) for professional exam/licensing fees. The Request for Cost of Attendance Budget Increase - Professional Exam/Licensing Fees form must be completed and appropriate documentation attached. For this purchase to be considered the fees must be paid by you and this request received by the Financial Aid Office no later than 30 days prior to your last day of courses in your last semester. The documentation must confirm payment, reflect the date of expenses, and include itemized details of what the payment covered. 

 

Please note: Misrepresentation of facts in connection with a request may be sufficient cause for cancellation or repayment of financial aid.