If you get a financial aid award that’s less than you hoped for, or if your circumstances changed since you first applied, you can ask for more money.
Your best option in certain cases is to submit a financial aid appeal letter to the financial aid office at your school. You can mail or deliver a letter in person or send an email, depending on the school’s process.
6 steps to appeal your financial aid
1. Contact the school’s financial aid office. The appeals process may vary depending on the school. Before you write a letter, email or call the school’s financial aid office and ask about its appeals process and any special requirements.
2. Address a specific person. Find a specific contact at the financial aid office to direct your letter to, rather than a generic “Dear Sir or Madam.” You can use LinkedIn to search for specific job titles tied to your school.
3. Have a clear “ask” and a specific “why.” Determine how much aid you would need to attend school and then ask the office to reconsider. If you need aid for specific things, like travel costs or supplies, be sure to name them. Explain your situation in an open and honest way. If there’s been a financial change since you submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), ask the office to adjust your income data based on your new circumstances. If another school has offered you more financial aid, include that offer and ask the school you're submitting the letter to to match it. Be sure to ask what the next stages of the appeal process are.
4. Gather documents to support your request. Include any relevant documents that support your explanation and refer to them in the letter. If the aid office requires specific forms, include those as well.
5. Submit your letter. Pay attention to any deadlines in your original offer paperwork to appeal by.
6. Wait to hear back. If you get a positive response, congratulations! If you still need additional aid or your request is denied, consider scholarships and loans.
What to include in your financial aid appeal letter
As you compose the letter, make sure to:
Write it yourself. It may be tempting to have a parent appeal on your behalf, but your case will be stronger if you make the request yourself, in your own words. Be cautious if you're using AI to help you write your letter. Make sure to edit it carefully and add some personal details.
Be careful of word choice and tone. The tone of the letter should toe the line between humble and assertive. Since you’re the one making a request, swap a term like “negotiate” for “reconsider.”
Be clear and succinct. Write no more than one page.
Pay attention to grammar. Have someone you trust check your letter for any errors or read it out loud to yourself before you send it.
When to write a financial aid appeal letter
Try to appeal your award as soon as possible before the school runs out of aid.
Here are a few circumstances that could warrant writing a letter:
Your or your family’s finances have changed since you submitted the FAFSA. This might include events like the death of a caregiver, a medical emergency, job loss or homelessness.
You got a larger aid offer from another school, and you’re asking the school to match.
» MORE: Your FAFSA questions answered
If you need money immediately due to a financial emergency, your school may have emergency grants. Contact your school's financial aid office to see what's available.
What to do if your appeal is unsuccessful
If your appeal isn't successful or still leaves you short of what you need, here are other options:
Consider other financial sources. Look for scholarships that may still be available. If you're already taking out federal loans, consider private student loans to close the gap. Compare offers from multiple lenders before choosing a loan.
Rethink your college choice. If it’s unlikely you’ll get enough financial aid for every year of college, consider going to a less expensive school. Doing so could save you from a high debt burden you’ll be paying back for many years to come. You can also consider doing a few years of community college and then transferring to the school of your choice. That way, your degree will still be from the school you wish to graduate from.
