The process to submit a financial appeal is outlined below. To avoid unnecessary delays in the processing of your appeal, it is essential that all steps are followed.

  1. Please review your current contract prior to an appeals submission.
      • If you are considering terminating your housing contract prior to its End Date due to a concern within student housing, please ensure you’ve reached out to your Residence Director (listed under the Office of Residential Life) and/or the Student Housing Services (SHS) administration office (uhmsh@hawaii.edu) for possible solutions prior to cancellation. 
      • If you choose to proceed with early termination of your housing contract without seeking alternative solutions, please note that your financial appeal will generally be denied. For example, needs such as moving to a different SHS community, or changing a room assignment may fall within the scope of possible accommodations and should be explored with either hall staff or the SHS administration office. 

  2. Before submitting your financial appeal form, please verify that the housing charge(s) being appealed have already been posted to your student account. 
      • Hall staff will need to verify the official date of check-out with the SHS administration office. Once your check-out date is confirmed, staff will be able to make adjustments to housing charges by assessing applicable early termination fees in accordance with the Termination Fee Schedule, prorated rent, and meal plan costs.

  3. After verifying housing charges are on your student account, submit the online financial appeal form to identify the reason(s) for appeal and indicate the total housing charge amount in your student account. Be sure to include any supporting documentation with your submission. Please note that lack of clear supporting documentation may lead to a delay and/or denial of your appeal.

  4. The SHS Financial Appeals Committee will review your submission and will contact you via email if more information and/or documentation are needed for review.

SHS Financial Appeals Committee Deadlines to Submit a Housing Financial Appeal:

Charge Period

Deadline to Submit an Appeal

Fall Semester (including August Interim)

May 31 of the following calendar year

Spring Semester

August 31 of the same calendar year

Summer Terms (including May Interim)

December 31 of the same calendar year

If you still have questions about the appeal process please direct all inquiries to shappeal@hawaii.edu.

SHS Financial Appeal Form

Frequently Asked Questions

Students can generally anticipate a response within three (3) weeks, though this period may extend depending on the time of the year. Please note that the start of the three (3) weeks begins when the SHS Appeals Committee receives any and all submitted and requested information and/or documentation.