Experts say successful financial aid appeals are uncommon, but a well-written appeal letter gives students the best shot at securing more college funding.
Once students receive their award letter, they might have the option to appeal the financial aid package offered by a particular college. Not every student is in a position to justify an appeal, and in some cases, appealing could even reduce their aid amount.
Mark Kantrowitz, publisher and vice president of research at Savingforcollege.com, believes more families should be aware of the appeals process.
“Too often, families assume the financial aid award letter is final and can’t be appealed,” he says. “A red flag is when the financial aid offer doesn’t just seem like a tough evaluation of your ability to pay—it feels outright unrealistic. Chances are, the financial aid office didn’t have all the necessary details when calculating your package.”
In such cases, families should consider appealing, Kantrowitz advises. If the student is a dependent, a parent should write the appeal letter.
Regardless of the situation, students and parents usually need to show financial aid administrators proof of a major change in their ability to pay. For families who decide an appeal is the right move, here’s how to craft a strong financial aid appeal letter:
- Start by calling the financial aid office.
- Include specific examples.
- Gather documentation.
- Be respectful, honest, and concise.
- Submit the letter the right way.
Start by Calling the Financial Aid Office
Appeal processes differ by college. Some schools require a form along with the letter, while others don’t even ask for a letter. Experts suggest calling the financial aid office before starting the appeal.
But a phone call alone isn’t enough—a formal letter can make a bigger impact.
“There’s a formal process for reevaluating aid eligibility, and you need a valid reason for it,” says Abril Hunt, outreach and financial literacy manager at Educational Credit Management Corp., a nonprofit focused on financial literacy and student success in higher education.
Include Specific Examples
No two financial aid situations are identical. Even if two families face similar hardships, their appeal outcomes may differ. Colleges have flexibility in handling appeals.
“Schools use what’s called professional judgment,” says Megan Coval of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. “This system works well because it allows for flexibility. If it were too rigid, it wouldn’t account for the wide range of student circumstances.”
How families present their case matters. Parents should clearly list financial challenges—preferably in bullet points—to make it easy for administrators to review. Common reasons for appeals include:
- A parent’s death or job loss
- Divorce or end of child support
- Major natural disasters causing financial loss
- High medical or dental expenses
- Caring for a special needs family member
- Commuting or educational costs being much higher than estimated
Families should also explain how these changes affect their ability to pay.
The letter’s tone should vary depending on whether the appeal is for need-based or merit-based aid. For merit-based aid, highlighting GPA and achievements helps, but for need-based aid, that’s unnecessary.
Gather Documentation
Proof is crucial. Without it, the financial aid office will likely ask for supporting documents.
Third-party documents carry the most weight, Kantrowitz says. Examples include:
- Paid medical bills
- Pay stubs or W-2s showing income loss
- Letters from professionals (doctors, insurance agents)
Family-written statements may not be as convincing as those from an objective source.
“It can’t just be a story—you need written proof,” Hunt says. “They won’t take your word for it.”
If other colleges offered better packages, including those letters can strengthen the appeal.
Be Respectful and Honest, and Keep It Short
Beyond financial details, the letter should thank the financial aid office and express the student’s enthusiasm for the school.
Never lie or treat the process like a negotiation.
“Don’t tell them your entire life story,” Kantrowitz warns. For need-based aid, lengthy narratives won’t help—stick to key facts and proof.
“Financial aid processors don’t have time for long letters,” Hunt says. “Be clear and concise.”
Kantrowitz’s book, How to Appeal for More College Financial Aid, includes sample letters. Here’s an example of an effective appeal:
“Dear Director of Financial Aid,
I’m thrilled my daughter, [Name], was accepted to your prestigious university. However, our financial situation makes affording enrollment difficult despite your generous offer.– I’m a single parent raising three daughters alone after my husband’s death last year.
– Our income dropped sharply due to job loss and the end of his earnings.
– High medical debt remains from his cancer treatment (insurance didn’t cover experimental therapies).
*- My daughter’s Social Security survivor benefits end when she turns 18.*
– Her siblings attend private school, and while they receive some aid, full tuition is unaffordable.Enclosed are documents verifying these circumstances: pay stubs, unemployment records, death certificate, medical bills, and tax returns.
[University] is her top choice. I hope you can increase her aid so she can attend. Thank you for your time.”
Submit the Financial Aid Appeal Letter the Right Way
Kantrowitz recommends submitting appeals early—ideally via certified mail with delivery confirmation.
However, Hunt notes that families without clear financial changes might wait until after mid-June, when schools finalize enrollment numbers and may have more flexibility with aid.