Financial Aid Appeals

The financial aid appeals process and the parameters associated with the process are outlined below. There are TWO separate circumstances with a different set of applicable criteria. Both circumstances require separate forms to be completed (be sure to use the accurate/corresponding form). 

Circumstance ONE:
Appeal to extend financial aid support beyond the expected graduation timeline.

This FORM should be used by students who wish to appeal for an additional semester or semesters of Cooper institutional aid, beyond the standard parameters of 4 years (8 semesters) for School of Art and School of Engineering students, and 5 years (10 semesters) for School of Architecture students. Send the completed form and any supplemental materials to faappeal@cooper.edu.

Circumstance TWO:
For all other financial aid appeal matters, please review and follow the below steps. This appeal process allows a student and/or family the opportunity to explain and demonstrate why the information on their US federal aid form (FAFSA) has significantly changed or no longer reflects their family’s current financial situation. Normal or minor fluctuations in circumstances typically do not result in any change to a student’s financial aid package. However, there are times when circumstances are so significant that they can result in a financial aid adjustment. Circumstances may include the below list. Please note, this list is not exhaustive and having one of these events occur does not guarantee a financial aid adjustment.

Changes that may impact a financial aid package:

  • A family’s previous year’s income was affected by a significant, one-time event, not typical of the family’s financial earnings or ability to meet their required contribution
  • High and non-reimbursable medical and/or dental expenses not covered by the family’s insurance
  • A family is experiencing sudden or unexpected high dependent-care costs related to a special needs individual or elderly grandparent
  • A parent loses a job or experiences a significant salary reduction
  • A parent’s income varies annually due to the volatile nature of their job
  • A family member is seriously ill which impacts their ability to earn their typical income
  • A parent dies, becomes disabled, is incarcerated, or institutionalized
  • Social Security benefits or child support cease as a result of a child reaching the age of majority
  • A family suffers a natural or financial disaster

Circumstance TWO steps for appealing your financial aid:

  1.  Complete this FORM for 2022 – 2023
  2. Provide supplemental explanation and documentation (Provide clear and official documentation to support your claim such as pay stubs, letters from employer, unpaid medical bills, tax return, W-2, etc.)
  3. Submit

When all three steps have been completed, send the materials to faappeal@cooper.edu.

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.