Tuition Appeals

Background

Students who enroll at CU Denver are undertaking a serious effort to further their education. It is expected they will make every effort to complete their courses during the semester. However, in rare circumstances, after census students may encounter medical emergencies, changes in employment beyond their control, the death of an immediate family member, or other extraordinary life events that prevent them from completing their coursework. The Tuition Appeals policy defines the process students will use to appeal their tuition and fees, the circumstances that will be considered, and the approving authorities for the appeal.

While all appeals will be reviewed, as a general guideline only appeals for a medical event, change in employment, or death will be considered. Other life events will be considered only on a case-by-case basis, and need to be serious circumstances that prevented the student from completing their coursework.

Students must appeal all courses for the semester, partial term appeals will not be considered. Appeals must be received within 6 months of the semester being appealed. The University will not accept appeals for a semester after one year has passed. Students may only appeal for a total of two semesters during their time at CU Denver.

*Please note: Students must be withdrawn from courses before submitting their tuition appeal. 

Definitions

• Tuition and Fees: represents the costs of enrollment in courses at the University of Colorado Denver.
  
  
• Tuition and Fee Appeals: appeals that may be filled when extenuating circumstances occur during the semester that prevents the student from completing their coursework that they believe warrants a refund of tuition and fees.
  
  
• Medical Emergency: an unanticipated severe medical illness or serious injury that involves the student or an immediate family member. Immediate family members include spouses, children, parents, siblings, and grandparents.*
  
  
• Employment: a change in employment beyond the student’s control, including military deployment. Your appeal will be denied if a change in work hours or schedule was your choice and was not required by your employer.
  
  
• Death: a death involving an immediate family member. Immediate family members include spouses, children, parents, siblings, and grandparents.* If the member of your immediate family has a different last name, you must provide documentation proving the relationship.
  

*The University of Colorado Denver understands that family is not always linear or nuclear. These instances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and documentation of the relationship to the student is required.

Appeal Process

Students must withdraw from their courses before filing out a Tuition Appeals form. Students appealing a current term but who have not withdrawn from their courses will have their appeal denied, until withdrawn and must resubmit the appeal once all courses have been withdrawn.

Students will submit the appeal, statement, and documentation online. The Tuition Appeals Coordinator will evaluate the appeals. If further documentation is needed, you will receive a notification and your appeal will be pended further review.

Appeals submitted with proper documentation and meeting the guidelines for approval will be approved by the coordinator; those appeals lacking will be denied. Appeals that warrant special consideration will be sent to the Tuition Appeals Committee for review. The Committee’s decision is final.

All appeals must be submitted within 6 months of the semester being appealed. If the appeal is not submitted within the 6-month timeframe, the student must present valid documentation as to why they were unable to file. No appeal will be considered after 1 year from the semester they are appealing for.

Deadlines

Spring semester | November 30

Summer semester | January 30

Fall semester | June 30

Please Note: Any questions regarding the decision of your tuition appeal must be directed to the tuition appeal email tuitionappeals@ucdenver.edu, within 14 days from the decision date.

Students must provide a detailed explanation of the extenuating circumstances for their appeal. In addition to your personal statement, please provide the following documentation:

• Medical: For a severe medical illness or serious injury involving yourself or an immediate family member, you must submit a signed doctor’s statement on letterhead that specifies the date(s) medical condition began and/or worsened, and clearly states how the condition prevented the student from completing their classes. Billing statements or office visit summaries cannot be accepted as required documentation.
  
  
• Employment: For employment changes beyond your control, you must submit a signed letter from your employer on company letterhead that specifically states the dates and times of the employment changes.  
  
  
• Death: For the death of an immediate family member* during the semester, you must submit a dated newspaper clipping or funeral notice which includes your name, or a certificate of death. The student must be able to prove a relation, by birth certificate or other documentation if the name differs from that of the student.
  
  
• Other: Documentation must be provided to substantiate the specific circumstances cited.
  

*The University of Colorado Denver understands that family is not always linear or nuclear. These instances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and documentation of the relationship to the student is required.

Financial Aid Statement

College Opportunity Fund (COF) Statement

Questions about tuition appeals?

If you have questions about your tuition appeal, please email tuitionappeals@ucdenver.edu.