1. Student-athletes wishing too appeal any reduction or cancellation of athletics aid must request an appeal opportunity within three weeks of the date on the written reduction or cancellation notice. Included in this written request shall be written explanation as to why the student-athlete feels the reduction or cancellation of aid is inappropriate.
2. Failure to request a hearing within three weeks will be considered an acceptance by the student-athlete of the reduction or cancellation of athletics aid. The chair of the Athletics Aid Appeal Committee may provide a hearing for individuals that fail to request a hearing prior to the deadline when the chair concludes that documented, extenuating circumstances existed that prevented the student-athlete from requesting the hearing within the acceptable timeframe.
3. This written request for an appeal must be provided to the Director of Financial Aid and the Associate Athletics Director for Compliance and Eligibility and must be submitted and signed by the student-athlete. Requests for appeals will not be accepted from the parents, legal guardians or attorneys of student-athletes.
4. The Athletics Aid Appeal Committee shall consist of the Director of Financial Aid (chair), the Dean of Students and the Faculty Athletics Representative. The Director of Financial Aid may choose a replacement if a committee member is unable to attend.
5. An appeal hearing must be provided as soon as possible. If an appeal is being scheduled during the period of an award, aid must be provided until the hearing is held.
6. Any communication between a committee member and an involved individual or individual knowledgeable of the circumstances of the matter regarding information on the hearing and/or its merits is prohibited.
7. The hearing must be attended by the student-athlete, a representative of the coaching staff of the student-athlete's sport (preferably the head coach) and a representative of the athletics department's office of athletics compliance.
8. The chair of the Athletics Aid Appeal Committee will determine if any additional individuals may attend the hearing. Requests for additional individuals' attendance must be submitted no later than two days in advance of the hearing and the chair will provide the student-athlete and the athletics department with notification of who will be in attendance at the hearing.
9. The chair will arrange the time and location of the hearing and provide the committee members, the student-athlete and the athletics department with this information as soon as it becomes available.
10. Any individual in attendance wishing to present written materials at the hearing must provide copies for individuals in attendance prior to the start of the hearing.
11. The hearing will be conducted by the chair and the chair has the authority to discontinue the hearing at any point that he/she determines all relevant information has been presented.
12. The representative of the coaching staff or the Athletics Director will verbally present information on the reason the student-athlete's aid has been reduced or cancelled.
13. The student-athlete will verbally present his or her position on why he or she believes that this reduction or cancellation is inappropriate.
14. Any additional presentation of information from other individuals may be made at the discretion of the chair of the committee.
15. The committee will ask questions of those in attendance as needed.
16. Upon hearing and reviewing all relevant information, the chair will excuse the student-athlete, the coaching staff member(s) and their representative and the committee will discuss the merits of the appeal.
17. A majority vote will determine the decision of the committee.
18. Written notification of the committee decision will be provided the student-athlete, the head coach and the office of athletics compliance within 48 hours of the conclusion of the hearing.
19. The decision of the Athletics Aid Appeal Committee is final.