While 86% of first-time, full-time undergraduate students receive financial aid at four-year universities, the financial aid package you receive from your dream school may not be enough to cover all of your education costs. Particularly with the coronavirus pandemic, you and your family may have experienced job losses or lost income, so you may need more help to pay for school than you expected.
You don’t have to take your school’s first word on its financial aid offer. If the school’s awards of scholarships, grants and student loans are insufficient for your needs, here’s how to write a financial aid appeal letter and ask for additional help.
Know When to Write a Financial Aid Appeal Letter
In general, schools will only review a financial aid appeal if there has been a substantial change in your circumstances since you submitted your school application and the FAFSA that would make you eligible for more need-based aid. For example:
- You or your parents lost their jobs
- A parent or spouse passed away
- You or a family member had major medical expenses
Given the economic impact the coronavirus pandemic has caused, many people may qualify for additional reviews. The 2020-2021 FAFSA required applicants to submit their 2018 tax returns. But in 2020, tens of millions of people have filed for unemployment, so many families may have seen their financial situations significantly change since they filed their 2018 tax returns.
When it comes to appealing financial aid decisions, timing is everything. Financial aid is often limited, so submit your appeal as soon as possible. Universities may only have a small amount of institutional aid available, such as grants or scholarships. Once that money is distributed, they can’t issue more, so your only option may be to take out additional student loans.
Steps to Appeal Your Financial Aid
Every school has its own appeal process, but in general, here’s how to appeal financial aid decisions:
- Contact the school financial aid office. You’ll want to ask what the process is for filing an appeal. While some schools list this information on their websites, it may be out of date, so it’s always a good idea to speak to a representative directly, so you have the latest information.
- Fill out the necessary forms. The financial aid representative will tell you what forms to complete. At some schools, there are formal financial aid appeal documents that will ask about your situation and special circumstances.
- Gather supporting documentation. You will typically have to submit documentation that supports your request for additional aid. For example, if you’re asking for more aid because of recent medical expenses, you should send in copies of your medical bills and signed letters from healthcare providers. If you or your parents were laid off from work, include termination notices or a copy of your unemployment compensation.
- Craft your financial aid appeal letter. If the school requests a letter, keep it to one page. Be as specific as possible, and focus on concrete incidents that affected your family’s finances.
What to Include in Your Financial Aid Appeal Letter
In your appeal letter for financial aid, explain to the university that you were accepted to the school and are eager to attend. However, because of changes to your family’s circumstances, the current financial aid package isn’t enough to cover your total cost of attendance.
Next, detail exactly what occurred that negatively impacted your financial situation. Include dates, if possible. For example, if you lost your job this year, write, “I was laid off in March 2020, and our household income was reduced by 50%.”
Don’t request a specific amount of money; just explain your situation, and that additional aid is needed. The school will review your circumstances and adjust your financial aid accordingly.
Be polite and courteous in the letter. There is no appeals process beyond this, and the financial aid officer’s decision is final, so you want to make as good of an impression as possible.
Financial Aid Appeal Letter Sample
Below is a sample of what a financial aid appeal letter should look like:
Dear Financial Aid Administrator:
I was so excited to receive my acceptance letter and financial aid offer from the University of ABC. The school is my top choice for my bachelor’s degree.
Unfortunately, my financial situation has changed since I applied and submitted my FAFSA in November, and the financial aid package right now doesn’t cover a large portion of my education costs. Because my needs have changed, I’m requesting a review to determine if my financial aid can be adjusted to reflect my current situation.
Like many households, my family was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it had an impact on our finances:
- My mother was laid off from her job in April, causing our household income to decrease by 50%
- My father was in the hospital in May, and we had $5,000 in hospital bills that insurance didn’t cover
- With my younger brother in virtual school, there have been increased childcare costs
I’ve attached copies of my mother’s termination notice and unemployment benefits, my father’s medical bills, and pay stubs for my brother’s care.
I appreciate your help. If you need any other information, please let me know.
-Name
Phone Number
Email Address
Mailing Address
How to Submit Your Appeal Letter
When it comes to submitting your financial aid appeal letter, make sure you follow the school’s processes exactly. Some schools will accept appeals electronically, while others will insist that you send it through the postal service.
If the school requested the letter via email, call a few days after you sent it to confirm they received it.
If they asked you to mail it, send it via certified mail, so you know it arrived safely. You can call a week after it was scheduled to arrive to follow up and ask about any next steps.
Some schools will review your appeal and issue a decision right away, while others can take weeks. The financial aid office should be able to give you an idea of the expected timeline.
Your Financial Aid Appeal Was Rejected: What’s Next?
Unfortunately, not all financial aid appeals are successful. In some cases, the university may deny your appeal for additional aid. If that happens, consider the following options:
- Apply for outside aid. Even if you’re ineligible for institutional aid or federal loans, you may qualify for other scholarships and grants. You can search for scholarships and grants offered by nonprofit organizations, companies and private foundations on FastWeb, Niche and Scholarships.com.
- Take out private student loans. While you may not be able to take out additional federal loans, you may qualify for private student loans. Unlike most federal loans, private loans require a credit check, and interest rates and terms vary by lender. Check out the best private student loan lenders.
- Look for a part-time job. If you’re willing to work while in school, you can use your earnings to offset your education expenses. SnagAJob and Indeed can be good resources for part-time work opportunities.
- Attend a less expensive school. If your selected university or college is too expensive with the current financial aid package, you may want to consider attending a less expensive school. If you have your heart set on earning a degree from that university, you could go to a state school or community college for two years, then transfer to your dream school to cut down on your education costs.
If you find the financial aid appeal process overwhelming, consider seeking expert assistance. Schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our Certified College Advisors at Synergy College Funding Consultants. We are here to guide you through every step of the process, ensuring a smooth and informed journey.