Newly admitted and current Otis College students who are enrolled or intend to enroll full-time at Otis College of Art and Design may submit this request to appeal for additional financial assistance. Institutional funding is limited. All requests will be holistically reviewed through an appeals committee. Approval is not guaranteed and requested appeal amounts vary depending on funding limitations and various factors. Otis College will give the highest consideration to each applicant and each request is carefully reviewed to optimize support to the best of the college's ability.

Types of Appeals Considered

Newly Admitted Students Only: Competitive Aid Offer Appeal. If you have been awarded a higher institutional scholarship or grant from another college, select this option for appeal. Upload the competitive school's aid offer as evidence.
Appeal due to PLUS Loan Denial or Private Student Loan Denial. If you or your family have been denied a plus loan or private student loan, select this option for appeal. Upload the loan denial letter as evidence.
Financial Hardship/Family Hardship Appeal. If you or your family is experiencing hardship, select this option for appeal. Upload any supporting documentation to support your situation.
Other Extenuating Circumstances. If all options above does not apply and you have a unique circumstance, select this option for appeal. Explain your situation in detail. Upload any supporting documentation to support your situation.

Otis Appeal Grant Requirements

Enrolled full-time for semester that appeal grant is awarded/disbursed.
Appeal grant must be applied towards tuition and fees (grant will be applied to account balance first).

Application/Request Eligibility

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents:

Students receiving federal aid must submit latest aid year for FAFSA
You may be asked to provide evidence that you have “exhausted all other avenues of support”, including subsidized and unsubsidized Direct Loans.
- Undergraduate Students: If parent is eligible for a Parent PLUS Loan, apply. If denied loan, loan denial may be uploaded as evidence.
- Graduate Students: if eligible for a Graduate Plus Loan Application, apply. If denied loan, loan denial may be uploaded as evidence.
- Private Student Loan Denial: If applied for a private student loan and denied a loan, loan denial may be uploaded as evidence.

Note: Federal Aid Recipients - If you or your parent/guardian had a significant decrease in income recently or within the last year resulting in a significantly lower income or projected income than the income reported in federal tax return for most recent FAFSA submission, you may be eligible for an Income Adjustment Request. The Income Adjustment Request will require documentation of loss of employment, loss of family member, approved unemployment benefits, or loss of business revenue. For more information, contact onestop@otis.edu

F-1 International Students: Federal regulations require that all F-1 students show proof of financial support for tuition and living expenses to be eligible to apply for an F-1 visa and maintain F-1 status upon arrival to Otis College.

Proof of Extenuating Circumstances: Provide proof of extenuating or unforeseen circumstance that results in additional financial burden such as loss of employment, loss of business revenue, change in the exchange rate, medical or health related expenses, travel or unforeseen expenses with transportation, or additional cost due to unique situations outside of student’s control.

Application/Request Timeline

From date of submission, allow up to two weeks for a decision. Decision will be sent by email.
If additional information is required by the committee, applicant will be contacted by email.

If you would like to discuss your situation or would like guidance through the appeal process, please contact the One Stop (onestop@otis.edu).