How to Appeal Financial Aid to Get More Money
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- At certain colleges, you can write an appeal letter if you didn’t get enough financial aid.
- In general, students must have special circumstances that merit an appeal.
- Most colleges have financial aid administrators who can assist students with appeals.
- As you write your appeal letter, be sure to use polite language and provide examples.
If you receive a financial aid offer letter that’s less than what you need to attend your target college, you may be able to appeal your offer. To do this, most colleges require an appeal letter — a note written to a financial aid administrator asking them to reconsider their decision regarding your aid amount.
Crafting a good financial aid appeal serves as your best chance of getting the money you need to attend your target school. While successful financial aid appeals are far from a sure thing, the worst that can happen is the financial aid administrator says no.
Before you write an appeal, you’ll need to determine whether your circumstances merit an appeal letter. While financial aid administrators may update certain data elements that can alter financial aid decisions, they won’t change your aid amount for just any reason. In reality, only a few situations warrant an appeal.
Why Might You Write a Financial Aid Appeal Letter?
Here are the common reasons students submit financial aid appeal letters to colleges.
You Received a Better Award Offer Elsewhere
Institutional aid at need-based schools can be revised to match or give a student a better financial aid offer. If you’re applying for more aid as a result of a competitive offer, be sure to include the amount of that offer in your appeal letter. Note that not all schools review a financial aid offer letter from other institutions.
You or Your Family’s Financial Situation Has Changed
By far the most common scenario is that you or your family’s financial situation has changed since you submitted your FAFSA. Below are some examples of special circumstances that may support a financial aid appeal:
- Recent unemployment
- Income change resulting in lower earnings
- Death of a spouse or family member
- Financial burdens from medical bills
- New expenses from childcare costs
- Multiple children attending college at once
- Unexpected expenses for senior care
Financial Aid Appeal Process: Step-by-Step Guide
Once you’ve determined that your situation merits an appeal, you should begin writing your letter as soon as possible. Many schools have a limited amount of funds and can only offer scholarships and other types of aid until they run out.
Read below for a step-by-step guide on how to appeal for more financial aid.
Step 1: Contact Your School’s Financial Aid Office
Since the appeal process can vary from school to school, the first thing you should do is call your school’s financial aid office to learn about its procedures and requirements. Some schools require a form in addition to a letter, while others don’t require an appeal letter at all.
Step 2: Determine How Much You Need
Once you’ve figured out your school’s appeal process, you can begin determining how much more financial aid to ask for. Carefully consider the minimum aid you’ll need to attend the school and provide an exact amount in the letter or form.
Step 3: Gather Any Necessary Documentation
Most schools won’t consider changing your financial aid appeal unless you have proof to support your request. This can include pay stubs, copies of medical bills, or a copy of your federal tax return. Once you have the necessary documentation, you can begin crafting your appeal letter.
Step 4: Write a Financial Aid Appeal Letter
When composing your appeal letter, be concise and honest. Other than briefly writing about your excitement to attend the school, only include relevant details that explain why you are submitting a financial aid appeal. The letter should be no more than one page long and have a physical signature.
Step 5: Submit Your Letter and Any Other School-Specific Forms
After you’ve had someone proofread your letter, you can finally submit the appeal, along with any documentation that supports your special circumstances. In general, the letter should be mailed to the financial aid office, though some schools may require you to submit it online.
If your appeal is unsuccessful, it may be time to consider scholarships or loans, or even rethink your college choice entirely.
How to Write a Financial Aid Appeal Letter: 3 Tips
Since many students know little about their family’s income, colleges fully anticipate the appeal letter to be written by a parent or guardian, especially if the student is considered a dependent.
Nevertheless, every student’s situation is different, and some may have to or prefer to write it themselves. In these cases, it’s OK if the student is the one composing the letter.
Regardless of who writes it, the goal is to clearly show that you or your family’s financial situation cannot cover the expected college cost. Schools will not rescind an admission offer simply because a student asked for more money.
Provide Examples of Your Circumstances
Your financial aid appeal letter should include specific examples that clearly indicate how your particular circumstances have affected your ability to pay for college. When crafting your letter, the most important part is to explain your situation in a way that’s easy for the financial aid administrator to understand.
Some experts suggest using a bulleted list, which can make it easier for the administrator to connect any supporting documentation.
Be Aware of Tone and Grammar
The tone of your appeal letter should be formal and assertive, but it should never come across as aggressive. Instead of saying you “deserve more,” kindly ask the financial aid administrator to “reconsider” the school’s original offer.
In addition to being mindful of tone, pay attention to grammar. It’s always a smart idea to have someone proofread your letter before you submit it.
Be Genuine and Polite
Above all, be honest and courteous in your request for more aid. Remember that the financial aid administrator has significant flexibility in deciding your appeal. The last thing you want to do is come across as hostile or rude. These administrators tend to deal with many unpleasant people, so being courteous can go a long way.
As you wrap up your letter, don’t forget to thank the financial aid administrator for their consideration.
Financial Aid Appeal Letter Sample
DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute professional financial advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Readers of this website should contact a professional advisor before making decisions about financial issues.
Feature Image: Tero Vesalainen / Shutterstock
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