How to Appeal Financial Aid

Are you struggling to afford college tuition? Financial aid can be a lifeline for many students, but what do you do if your financial aid application is denied? Don't lose hope just yet! In this guide, we will walk you through the process of appealing your financial aid decision and answer some frequently asked questions about appealing an aid award to secure a better financial aid offer.

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How Institutional Aid Works

College financial aid is designed to help students cover the costs of tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. It typically comes in the form of grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and loans. However, not all students are automatically approved for aid, which is why you may need to appeal your financial aid award.

Many colleges and universities have an appeals process in place, allowing students to present additional information or circumstances that may have been overlooked in the initial review. This provides an opportunity for students to explain their situation and request a reconsideration of their eligibility.

The Basics of Financial Aid

When applying for a college financial aid package, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This free application collects important financial information for the purpose of determining a student's eligibility for federal student aid, such as government-sponsored grants and loans. Factors such as income, assets, family size, and number of family members attending college all come into play when determining the amount of aid a student may receive. Each student's financial situation is unique, and the amount of aid they receive can vary greatly.

Grants are a form of aid that does not need to be repaid. They are typically awarded based on financial need and can come from various sources, such as the federal government, state governments, your school itself, or private organizations. Scholarships, on the other hand, are also a form of financial aid that does not need to be repaid, but they are typically awarded based on merit or specific criteria, such as academic achievements or extracurricular involvement.

Work-study programs offer students the opportunity to work part-time on campus or in the community to earn money to help cover their educational expenses. These programs not only provide financial assistance but also valuable work experience.

Lastly, loans are a form of financial aid that must be repaid with interest. While loans can help students finance their education, it's important to carefully consider the terms and conditions before taking on debt.

When to Appeal College Financial Aid

There are a number of scenarios in which it is worth appealing your college financial aid award in order to get more financial aid. Below are general guidelines as to when you might want to appeal for more aid.

Most colleges have multiple appeal request processes based on the reason for your appeal, so check with your college's financial aid office for specifics. Most of these guidelines do not apply for merit-based aid, which is awarded based on a student's academic accomplishments, but rather for need-based aid, awarded based on demonstrated financial need.

You or Your Family's Financial Situation Has Changed

If your financial circumstances have changed significantly since you first applied for aid, you should submit a financial aid appeal. For example, if you or your parents experienced a job loss or a significant decrease in income, it's important to notify the financial aid office and provide documentation to support your case. Schools typically have a special financial aid appeals process in place specifically for such changes in your family's ability to pay for school.

Your FAFSA was Incomplete or Inaccurate

If there were errors in your FAFSA form, your school's financial aid office may not have awarded you the appropriate amount of financial aid. In certain cases, financial aid administrators will grant a student more financial aid once these errors are rectified. If you suspect that you were not awarded enough financial aid based on your household income, double-check that your FAFSA was filed correctly. Bringing any errors to the attention of the financial aid office can save you more money in the long run.

Special Circumstances

In cases of special circumstances, it can be helpful to apply for additional financial aid or an entirely new financial aid package. These special circumstances might include unexpected medical bills, the loss of a parent or guardian, significant loss due to a natural disaster, childcare costs, changes to child support or alimony payments, loss of social security benefits, or income divorce.

Again, the process of seeking such an appeal, as well as what qualifies as financially significant unusual circumstances, varies between most colleges. Typically, the school requires the student to provide financial documents or data elements demonstrating why you need more financial aid.

A financial aid administrator will then conduct a special circumstances review, considering relevant details of your case alongside your additional documentation, and make a decision. Check with your school to confirm the specifics of the process.

Your Top School Offered Less Aid than Another

Some students may choose to submit a higher financial aid award letter from another school to their top institution as a means to negotiate their need-based financial aid award. If one of your top school's direct competitors offers you a larger aid amount, sharing this information with a financial aid administrator at your top school could trigger a reconsideration of your original financial aid offer.

In some cases, a substantial financial aid award letter from another school is enough justification for your top school to increase your financial aid package. However, do not rely on this negotiation tactic to finance your education since there is no guarantee that financial aid administrators will award you more aid.

A Step-by-Step Guide to the Financial Aid Appeal Process

When submitting your appeal, it's important to keep in mind that the appeal process can vary from institution to institution. Some colleges and universities may have specific forms that need to be filled out, while others may require a written letter explaining your situation and reasons for the appeal. Make sure to carefully read and follow the guidelines provided by your institution to ensure that your appeal is properly submitted.

Read Through Your Financial Aid Offer

Compare your financial aid offer against the estimated cost of attendance at your institution. If you are an incoming first-year student, be sure to compare your financial aid packages from each school. Take the time to analyze the specifics of your offer, whether it is broken into categories by type of expense, any loans or work-study awards, and the specific conditions of grant awards, which might be maintaining a certain GPA or completing additional honors coursework.

Calculate How Much Additional Aid You Plan to Request

To calculate how much aid to request, consider the estimated cost of attendance published by your institution and compare it to your personal circumstances. You may need to recalculate your personal cost of attendance if you are planning to live off-campus or at home. Take into account all possible living and academic expenses for the year.

These are typically broken into categories by your institution, like housing, food, transportation, books and supplies, and mandatory tuition and fees. If you are enrolled in a special program requiring additional resources or insurance requirements, such as a BFA program, your school will have estimations for these additional fees.

Compare your personal cost of attendance to the amount of aid you received and your family's anticipated ability to pay for your education, and calculate the number of additional aid to request that you are most comfortable with.

Contact Your School's Financial Aid Office

Your school's financial aid office will have information on the types of appeals you can apply for and the specific steps required to submit each appeal. You can usually find this information on the aid office website or by contacting the office directly. Familiarize yourself with your school's specific appeals process and timeline, taking note of any significant deadlines for submitting appeal paperwork and documentation.

Gather Any Necessary Documentation

To support your appeal, you'll need to provide documentation that strengthens your case. This may include recent tax returns, pay stubs, medical bills, or any other relevant financial information. Compile all relevant documents and organize them in a logical manner to present to the financial aid office. Additionally, fill out any appeals forms required by the office.

Write a Compelling Appeal Letter

Your financial aid appeal letter is your opportunity to make a strong case for reconsideration. When you write a financial aid appeal letter, explain why you believe your appeal should be approved. Be honest and concise, and provide specific details about your financial situation.

Personal anecdotes can also add a human touch to your appeal. Remember, the goal of a financial aid appeal letter is to demonstrate that your circumstances have changed since the initial application and that you are deserving of more money.

When taking the time to write a financial aid appeal letter, it's important to address the specific reasons for the denial of your application. If there were any errors or misunderstandings in your initial application, clarify them in your appeal letter.

Additionally, highlight any changes in your financial circumstances that may have occurred since you submitted your application. This could include job loss, unexpected medical expenses, or any other significant events that have impacted your ability to pay for your education.

It's crucial to convey to financial aid administrators your dedication to your education and your commitment to achieving your academic goals. Explain how the aid will not only alleviate your financial burden but also enable you to focus on your studies and make the most of your college experience.

Remember, the financial aid office is there to assist students in need, and by providing your financial aid administrator with a comprehensive and persuasive appeal, you increase your chances of receiving the financial support you require.

Submit Your Letter and Any Other School-Specific Forms

Typically, appeals are submitted to the financial aid office at your institution and reviewed by a financial aid administrator at set times throughout the academic year. After taking the time to write an appeal letter, be sure to submit it well in advance of any deadlines.

It's essential to verify the correct submission location and any additional requirements or forms that need to be included with your appeal package. When submitting your appeal, it's a good idea to make a copy of all the documents you are sending. This will serve as a record of your submission and can be helpful if any issues arise later on.

What to Expect After Submission

During the review process, financial aid administrators will assess your appeal based on the extenuating circumstances you provided in your appeal letter and any supporting documentation you included. Typically, the office's decision on your appeal is final.

However, if you believe that there was an error in the evaluation of your appeal or if you have additional information to support your case, you may have the option to request a reconsideration of your appeal. This process often involves submitting a written request explaining the grounds for reconsideration and providing any additional supporting documentation.

Tips for a Successful Aid Appeal

While the appeal process can be daunting, there are strategies you can employ to increase your chances of success. Here are some do's and don'ts to keep in mind:

Do's in Financial Aid Appeal:

• Do thoroughly review your denial letter to understand the specific reasons for denial.
• Do provide updated and accurate information to support your appeal.
• Do submit your appeal package before the stated deadline.
• Do follow up with the financial aid office after submitting your appeal.

Don'ts in Financial Aid Appeal:

• Don't submit an incomplete appeal package.
• Don't include unnecessary or irrelevant information.
• Don't be rude or disrespectful in your appeal letter.
• Don't miss the deadline for appeal submission.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While it's important to focus on the positive aspects of your appeal, there are common mistakes that you should be aware of and avoid making:

1. Neglecting to provide updated financial information or evidence of changed circumstances.
2. Ignoring formatting and structure guidelines provided by the financial aid office.
3. Being overly emotional or desperate in your appeal letter.

Navigating Post-Appeal Scenarios

Once your financial aid appeal has been reviewed, you will receive a decision from the aid office. The outcome can vary, so let's explore the possible scenarios:

If Your Appeal is Approved

Congratulations! If your appeal is approved, you will receive a revised financial aid package. This new package may include additional grants, scholarships, or other forms of aid. Be sure to review the offer carefully and reach out to the financial aid office if you have any questions or concerns.

If Your Appeal is Denied

If your appeal is denied, it's essential to carefully evaluate your options. Remember, a denial does not necessarily mean the end of the road. You can explore other avenues, such as scholarships, tuition payment plans, or private loans. Additionally, consider reaching out to the financial aid office to discuss alternative options or to inquire about the possibility of a second appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Appealing Your Financial Aid

How to apply for the FAFSA?

Applying for the FAFSA is an essential step in receiving consideration for a financial aid package. You can do this using the FAFSA website, where you will have to provide your household's financial information.

It can be a complex process depending on your household's situation, so set aside ample time well in advance of the deadline to fill out the form. For more, check out our handy guide to applying for the FAFSA for a step-by-step walkthrough of the process.

How often do financial aid appeals get approved?

The answer depends on your college's financial aid office. Your school's demonstrated track record of how it handles financial aid cases will give you a better idea of whether your financial aid appeal will be approved.

Unfortunately, many schools do not publicize information about financial aid appeal approval rates. To get a better idea of the likelihood of your financial aid appeal getting approved, you can speak with other college students at the school and conduct online research on past financial aid trends at the institution.

The Department of Education is a great place to start your research. This Department collects and publishes financial aid data for each school, including what percentage of students receive some form of financial aid, what percentage receive a Pell Grant, and the average net price for students by income bracket.

If your school has a history of awarding large financial aid payments, your appeal is more likely to be approved. If your school does not typically give large financial aid awards, it does not mean that your appeal won't be approved, as every individual case is unique. So, it is still worth appealing your offer.

How to pay for college?

Applying for scholarships is an easy way to lower the cost of attending college. You can hone your scholarship research to those most relevant to your goals and background by searching for scholarships by major or searching by state, age, and demographic information.

Here at Bold.org, we are committed to helping students eliminate student debt. Check out our Scholarship Blog for more information and learn how to apply for scholarships today!