"My daughter just told me she got an email thanking her for the letter and info on her specific situation and increased her scholarship from $6k to $8k a year. So it helped for sure!"
Andrea, Going Merry Parent
"The school got back to her and they augmented her scholarship by $3k/academic year."
Patrick, Going Merry Parent
"Hey. They wrote back and added $1k for the Green and Gold Scholarship. Renewable every year. Thank you. You found $4k for us!!"
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"I wanted to circle back and let you know that we received an additional $3000.00 grant. Thanks again for your help it was greatly appreciated!"
Ellie, Going Merry Student
Financial Aid Appeal FAQ
What is a financial aid appeal?
A financial aid appeal letter is a formal request asking your school to reevaluate your financial aid package due to changes in your financial situation or special circumstances. This letter allows you to explain any significant updates since submitting your FAFSA®, such as job loss, medical expenses, or other hardships. If approved, your school will reassess your eligibility and provide a revised financial aid offer to better meet your needs.
Why do I need to appeal?
Requesting a financial aid appeal can be a powerful strategy to reduce college costs, potentially saving you thousands of dollars per year. Many students report a financial aid appeal helped them pay for college after receiving significant increases in their financial aid packages after submitting an appeal.
Am I eligible?
According to a large number of colleges, there are five common scenarios for why you might consider appealing your original financial aid offer and request more aid:
When do I submit my appeal?
Submit your financial aid appeal as soon as possible to allow the college enough time to review your request and respond before your deposit or decision deadline. Aim to send your appeal at least two weeks before this date.
Be mindful of each school’s decision day and the FAFSA® deadline, as some appeal reasons are only valid before these dates. However, significant financial changes, such as job loss or unexpected expenses, may still be considered even after the decision deadline.
1) You got admitted, but it’s just not enough.
2) You received a better offer at another school.
3) Your FAFSA® didn’t reflect some nuanced financial situation.
4) Your financial circumstances have changed, and you Student Aid Index (SAI) is too high.
5) You made a mistake (or multiple) on your FAFSA®.
How do I write a financial aid appeal letter?
Answer questions and watch as your appeal letter writes itself in four simple steps with our Financial Aid Appeal Letter Generator.
Answer a few quick questions – Tell us about yourself and your college.
Why this college – Explain why this college is your top choice to attend.
List your reasons – Select your reasons for your appeal and attach relevant documents.
Submit your personalized appeal letter – Submit a professionally written & customized financial aid appeal letter.
Why Use Our Financial Aid Appeal Letter Generator ?
Our Appeal Letter Generator makes it easy to request a financial aid adjustment in just a few minutes.
Financial Aid Support
Navigating financial aid appeals can be confusing, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our team of experienced financial aid specialists is here to guide you, answer your questions, and help you submit the strongest appeal possible.
Fast & Easy Appeal
Writing a financial aid appeal letter doesn’t have to be stressful or time-consuming. Our self-guided tool helps you draft a professional appeal in minutes, so you can take control of your financial aid—quickly and independently.
Proven Success
Thousands of students have used our expert-backed appeal templates to successfully request additional aid. Schools have awarded students thousands of extra dollars, helping them close financial gaps and reduce their college costs.
