Case Study #2: Financial Aid

Reduced Course Loads as an Academic Accommodation: A Case Study on Financial Aid Eligibility

Background

Sam is a sophomore with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD). He is having difficulty managing a full-time preengineering course load. He does not have enough time to keep up with all of his courses.

Access Issue

Sam wants to take a reduced course load but needs to remain eligible for financial assistance. He was told by staff in the financial aid office that he would be ineligible for financial aid if he was not registered as a full-time student.

  1. Discuss potential solutions to the problem described. There can be more than one good solution.
  2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each proposed solution.
  3. Clarify the appropriate roles of the student, financial aid office staff, and disabled student services staff in reaching a decision and providing accommodations if needed.
  4. After you have completed your discussion, read the access solution that actually occurred in this case. It is printed on the back of this handout. Compare your proposed solutions with this solution. Discuss the conclusions listed, and add at least one more.

Source: The Student Services Conference Room, DO-IT, University of Washington. Permission is granted to reproduce this handout for educational noncommercial purposes.

Solution

Following is the solution that was actually employed in this case:

The disabled student services counselor explained that, with her help, Sam could request to take a reduced credit load and still be considered for financial aid. The counselor helped Sam complete the university procedure for requesting a reduced credit load due to a disability. Sam completed the process and was able to continue his part-time studies and remain eligible for financial aid, although at a reduced level and for a limited amount of time. Working with disabled student services and the housing office, Sam was also able to remain in the residence hall even though typically campus housing requires that residents be full-time students.

Conclusion

This case study illustrates the following:

  1. Part-time course loads may be a reasonable accommodation for some students with disabilities, particularly during terms when they are enrolled in difficult courses.
  2. Students with disabilities may be eligible for financial aid and housing, even if they are not taking a full-time credit load.
  3. Financial aid and housing staff and administrators should be aware of special procedures, documentation, and accommodations for students with disabilities.