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11.4. Appealing Financial Aid Decisions

Your first aid offer isn’t set in stone. If it falls short—or your circumstances change—you can appeal. Here’s how:

• Why Appeal?: 

  • Life changes: Job loss, medical bills, or a parent’s death since filing the FAFSA.

  • Better offers: Another school gave you more aid, and you want your top choice to match it.

  • High EFC: Your family’s situation doesn’t match the FAFSA’s math (e.g., supporting a grandparent).

• How to Do It: 

  • Contact the school’s financial aid office—ask their appeal process (often called a “professional judgment review”).

  • Write a polite letter explaining your situation. Include: 

    • Your name, student ID, and a brief aid summary.

    • What’s changed (e.g., “My dad lost his job in January 2025”).

    • What you’re requesting (e.g., more grant money or work-study).

  • Attach proof—pay stubs, medical bills, or a competing aid offer.

  • Follow up—call or email after a week if you don’t hear back.

• Outcome: Schools may adjust grants, loans, or work-study. Results vary—public schools have less flexibility than private ones with big endowments.

Tip: Be respectful but persistent—aid officers want to help but work within budgets.

The financial aid process has moving parts, but here’s a simple timeline:

• Fall (Junior/Senior Year): Create your FSA ID and research state/school deadlines.

• October 1: File the FAFSA ASAP.

• Winter/Spring: Review your SAR, submit extra forms (e.g., CSS Profile), and compare aid offers.

• Ongoing: Appeal if needed, and re-file the FAFSA yearly for continued aid.

Mistakes happen—maybe you’ll miss a deadline or misjudge your dependency status. Learn and adjust. Aid isn’t just numbers—it’s a tool to make education possible