How To Write a Financial Aid Appeal Letter

Financial aid, including student loans, can help students pay for higher education. But sometimes, the financial aid award letter you receive from a school doesn’t match the amount that you need to pay for college. When this happens, you can write an appeal letter to your school to request more funding. 

This guide will explain when it makes sense to appeal a financial aid package and how to write a financial aid appeal letter.

When to write an appeal letter

The appeal process can sometimes take weeks or months, so it’s best to submit your appeal letter as soon as you know you’ll need more funding for school.

Here are some situations when it makes sense to appeal your financial aid award:

• You made an error on your FAFSA. A mistake on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) could lead to a lower aid amount. 
• Your family’s financial situation has changed. A recent medical diagnosis, job loss, or decrease in income may mean your family’s finances look a lot different than when you initially completed the FAFSA.
• You’re going through a divorce. Married students may experience financial hardships and a drop in household income during or after a divorce. A parent getting divorced can also cause financial issues.
• Your parent or legal guardian dies. The death of a parent or legal guardian can affect your finances significantly.
• You have an ongoing financial commitment. The FAFSA doesn’t initially take certain ongoing financial commitments into account, such as paying medical expenses for a disabled child.
• You’ve added a new family member to the household. If you welcome a new family member after submitting the FAFSA, you may want to appeal as your household finances have likely changed. 
• You’ve lost your home or business. Catastrophic losses as a result of natural disasters or other extenuating circumstances can also affect your ability to pay for school.

What to include in your appeal letter

Before getting started, contact your school’s financial aid office to find out what guidelines they have for appealing a financial aid package. For example, the appeal may need to be in a certain format or have specific supporting documentation attached.

A financial aid appeal letter is generally most effective if it contains the following information:

• Detailed reasons for appealing: Begin your letter with your reason for writing the appeal. Make this clear, transparent, and succinct.
• Amount and date of the award: It’s typically helpful to include information about when you received the award and how much it was for.
• A polite request: Respectfully request that the financial aid office reconsider your initial award amount.
• How much more aid you need: Break down how much more money you need to attend school and what expenses that money would cover. 
• Documentation to substantiate your appeal. Students are generally required to submit evidence that supports their request. This can be in the form of bank statements, medical bills, layoff notices, etc. 
• Thank the school for its consideration: You can end your letter by thanking the financial aid officer for taking the time to review and consider your appeal.

Financial aid appeal letter example

If you’re not sure where to begin, you can use this sample financial aid appeal letter and adapt it to meet your needs:

What to do if your appeal doesn’t work

If your financial aid appeal is approved, your school’s financial aid office will update your FAFSA and you’ll receive a new financial aid package. 

If your school denies the appeal, this decision is usually final. However, there are some other options you can consider to help you fill the gap in funding: 

• Apply for scholarships: If your appeal is unsuccessful, you can apply for scholarships offered by private organizations or groups. These are funds that you don't have to repay. The Department of Labor’s free scholarship search tool is a great place to start. 
• Find a work-study program: Work-study programs let you work part-time, typically on campus, to earn money for your tuition and other expenses. In many cases, the work can be directly related to your field of study if it’s possible. 
• Emergency tuition assistance: Some schools will help students cover their educational expenses during periods of unexpected financial hardship. Check with your school to see what programs it might offer. 
• Consider private student loans: If you’ve exhausted all of your options, consider private student loans. These are loans issued from banks, credit unions, or other financial institutions that can help cover your costs, but they usually have higher interest rates than federal loans.

Financial aid appeal FAQ

Get answers to some of your frequently asked questions about writing financial aid appeals. 

What is a good reason for a financial aid appeal?

If you've experienced a significant change in your finances, you may have a valid reason to submit an appeal. Unexpected circumstances like sudden unemployment, paying new medical bills, or getting a divorce are some situations that may justify receiving more financial aid. 

Is it hard to win a financial aid appeal?

Financial aid appeals are granted on a case by case basis. Even if you think you have a valid case for receiving more aid, there’s no guarantee your appeal will be approved. The final decision is ultimately at the discretion of your school. 

What happens if my FAFSA appeal is denied?

If your FAFSA appeal is denied, the decision is usually final. Some schools may let you appeal twice if you have new information to provide. If you’re still not able to receive more funding, consider looking into other options like scholarships, work-study programs, or private student loans. 

How do I appeal financial aid for failing?

If you fail to meet your school’s satisfactory academic progress (SAP) requirements, you risk losing access to financial aid. But if you believe certain circumstances interfered with your academic performance, you can submit a SAP appeal explaining your undue hardship to potentially regain eligibility. If approved, your school may consider modifying your financial aid package and waiving the SAP requirements.

How long do FAFSA appeals take?

It could take a few weeks or months before your appeal is approved or denied. Most schools review appeals in the order they are received, so it could take longer for your appeal to be processed during busy seasons. Generally speaking, you can expect to hear back about your appeal in two to six weeks.