Budget Appeal

Students may appeal for additional aid to cover medical expenses not covered by insurance that are charged for procedures or treatment that takes place within the academic year. Medical expenses can include those costs associated with vision, dental and/or mental health treatments and appointments.

                Documentation may include:

• A copy of the bill from the medical provider (not an insurance explanation of benefits or claim report from insurance) showing the portion of costs remaining after insurance.
• A copy of a pharmacy receipt or statement showing cost after insurance and RX number (Prescription name may be blacked out)
• A letter from the student’s physician outlining clinic costs or expenses and frequency for ongoing care.

Note: Students are not required to provide a diagnosis or information regarding their specific medical treatment as long as copies of bills or letters from a Physician can verify that a general medical condition does exist or has been treated.

Students may appeal for an increase in rent, food and utility allowance if their costs exceed the amount allotted in the standard cost of attendance and are within a reasonable amount. Students may be asked to document special circumstances that require higher costs (ADA-compliant building, special food restrictions for religious or dietary requirements, etc). Appeals must be within the terms of the signed lease and students must appeal each academic year they are requesting an increase. In general, the costs should not exceed 175% of the rent allowance provided for in the standard COA although higher increases can be approved on a case-by-case basis and in years when inflation impacts the rental market in the Chicagoland area.

We will assume that rent will be split evenly between all parties listed on the lease.

                Documentation may include:

• A copy of the student’s current and active lease or mortgage statement, including all pages and addendums
• One month worth of all utility expenses paid
• Any other relevant documentation as determined by the aid office (i.e. ACA requirements, etc)
• One month worth of detailed grocery receipts

Additional assistance is available to students who have dependents for whom they (and their spouse if applicable) provide 50% or more of the financial support as reported on the FAFSA. Students may request additional assistance for childcare expenses or for additional maintenance expenses in certain circumstances.

Students should contact the Chicago Office of Financial Aid to discuss dependent care appeal options.

Documentation may include:

• Childcare billing statement

You may be eligible to obtain supplemental loan assistance to purchase computer hardware and software one time during the duration of your program unless extenuating circumstances exist (i.e. theft as documented on a police report, documented damage, etc).

The maximum amount of supplemental loan assistance is equal to the actual cost of the required hardware (excluding a printer) and software, or $1,500, whichever is less. Up to an additional $500 can be available for the purchase of a printer or other peripheral components (monitor, keyboard, etc). Supplemental loan assistance cannot exceed $2,000.

Documentation includes:

• Receipt from purchase of computer
• Students who do not have resources available to pay for the computer up front may submit documentation of their intended purchase (print out of online shopping cart) and our office will work with you to discuss your options.

Students who live more than 2.00 miles away from campus (considering the shortest distance route) may be considered for vehicle maintenance and mileage if reasonable public transportation options are not available. Students may not receive additional aid to cover the the purchase or lease of a personal vehicle (car payment). 

Students in programs that require clinical rotations or clerkships may appeal for additional transportation expenses if their costs exceed the standard COA if:

• Their site is located in an area that is not serviced by Chicago-area public transportation OR
• Their transportation hours make it unsafe to use Chicago-area public transportation OR
• Their clinical location requires the purchase of an airline ticket to and from the clinical site at the beginning and/or end of the rotation
• Other extenuating circumstances as documented

Documentation may include

• Rental vehicle- a copy of the rental agreement
• Metra expenses- a statement including method of travel and average daily transportation costs including number of traveling days per week.
• Airfare- copy of your roundtrip airline receipt or quote for 1 flight to/from your clinical location
• Other relevant documentation as determined by the Office of Financial Aid

If students can appeal for additional aid to cover the actual costs (versus the average costs included in the COA) they paid for required books/supplies with receipts.

Documentation may include:

• A copy of the student’s syllabi for registered coursework
• The book list provided by the University Bookstore website (abbotthall.bncollege.com).
• Specific uniform requirements (scrubs, clinic-specific clothing requirements) issued by clinical/clerkship site
• Receipts confirming purchase

The cost of attendance includes an allowance for personal expenses to cover discretionary, miscellaneous expenses. Students generally use those funds to cover the cost of self-care maintenance (haircuts, clothing, entertainment, pet costs, gym or other memberships, etc). Personal expenses and certain other expenses may not be appealed. Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

• Living expenses for periods of non-enrollment in coursework required for your degree
• Moving expenses
• Consumer loans/credit cards/credit lines/payment plans
• Car payments
• Test Prep courses
• Travel not associated with required coursework/academic studies
• Support of spouse, parent(s), grandparents or other relatives who are not dependent children who require childcare while you are in class
• Religious tithing/charity/contributions/gifts
• Entertainment/dining out
• Streaming services and subscriptions
• Weddings
• Gym memberships
• Graduation regalia
• Laundry/dry cleaning
• Hair/makeup/skin care not provided through medical prescription