How to Appeal Financial Aid Decisions From a University
Although financial aid makes it possible for millions of students to attend universities, the financial aid package offered to a student is sometimes not large enough. This is often the case when your family has had a change in financial circumstances that was not reflected on the financial aid application. Appealing a financial aid decision is a critical step in being able to afford tuition, especially for upperclassmen who have few choices besides dropping out, transferring to a less expensive school or taking on private student loans.
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Instructions
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Call the financial aid office at the university and ask how the appeals process works. In particular, find out what special forms need to be submitted and who they should be sent to. If you live within reasonable driving distance of the university, try to set up an appointment to appeal the decision in person.
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Calculate the amount of money that your family would need to pay for the academic year, under the current financial aid award. Add the tuition, fees, room, board, textbook, supplies and transportation to and from school, and then subtract the total aid already awarded.
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Gather the documents that support your case that you cannot afford to pay this amount. Relevant documents include current pay stubs, tuition costs for other siblings attending college and bills for medical expenses, necessary vehicle or home repairs and other recent unexpected expenses. Your case will be strongest if your family is experiencing financial hardship due to a significant change such as a loss of job or large medical bills.
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Write an appeal letter that outlines why you cannot afford to pay for tuition and other related costs under the current financial aid package. Use polite language to present your case and request a review of the financial aid package.
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Make copies of the supporting documents you gathered and submit them with your letter. Also fill out and submit any other required appeal forms specific to the university.
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Call the financial aid office a couple weeks after sending the appeal to check its status and see if there is anything else you should do to increase your chance of a successful appeal.
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Tips & Warnings
Submit your appeal as soon as possible after the initial financial aid decision. When colleges run out of financial aid money, they might not be able to help much, even if you have grounds for an appeal.
If the financial aid office is not responding well to your appeal that is based on extreme changes in income, point out the letter in the References section below. In particular, this letter recommends projecting family income for the next year rather than relying on income from the previous tax year.
