DU has the financial resources to help students whose families are experiencing documented financial difficulties.

“The institution is working very hard to have more resources available to students over the course of their time here,” said Barbara Marshall, director of financial aid.

In an e-mail to undergraduate students sent last Wednesday, Chancellor Robert Coombe reassurd the campus community that DU’s financial situation is “strong.”

“Thanks to wise management of our resources, the University ended the 2008 fiscal year in very good health, and we are well positioned to weather the current economic storm,” he wrote.

For students who request additional financial aid, Coombe said the university will extend the winter quarter due date for fee payment and will review new requests “as quickly as possible.”

Students who find themselves in a situation where their family’s finances have changed since they filed their last FAFSA or applied for scholarships can file for an appeal, Marshall said.

Students must send in a written letter explaining what their situation is and what they need. The Office of Financial Aid reviews the request and requires evidence of the change in financial situation in the form of tax returns.

While the priority deadline for financial aid is April 4, applications can be sent in at any time, particularly appeals, Marshall said.

An appeal is a written letter to the Office of Financial Aid after someone has received their financial aid funding, stating why he or she needs to increase that funding amount.

Generally, the Office of Financial Aid does not receive a large number of appeals, but Marshall said the number filed this year has “increased significantly” in comparison to previous years.

And, she suspects that the increase will “continue through the application process next year and possibly [into 2010].”

“I think there’s more concern for next year,” she said.

This is evident among the student population.

Alex Legrant, a senior transfer student who will be graduating in August 2009, is currently receiving financial aid from private loans, not the university. But, her current aid will not be sufficient through graduation.

“For the last summer quarter, it’s a little worrisome if I’ll have the means,” she said, adding that she will be $5,000 short in paying tuition if her aid does not come through.

She will have to apply for a private loan without a cosigner – since she is paying for school herself – if DU doesn’t come through.

Kate Ehrlich, a freshman, is similarly anxious. “I’m very concerned. I don’t know if I’m going to be able to keep going to DU,” she said.

While she appreciates that the chancellor took the time to provide “reassurance,” she still has to wait to apply for additional aid or new aid programs because her self-employed parents are not yet able to send in their documentation.

“It’s all just a waiting game,” she said. “We could barely afford it before…if it [the financial situation] escalates any further, I’ll be in serious trouble.”

Marshall emphasizes, however, that the university should be able to help out students, as long as they can document a need.

“The federal student loan programs are really stable, and we have funding for that,” she said. “But, we are very careful that as we look at students’ situations that we’re being equitable and it’s something we can sustain.”

“I wouldn’t want any student to say that they’re not going to come back to school next year for financial reasons before exploring every option.”