Getting financial aid is just half the time. At times when a student gets financial aid, it isn’t as much as they initially expected or maybe their financial situation changes from the time they applied for the aid and now need more aid. There is also a possibility of being denied the financial aid altogether and you want to appeal the rejection. Here are steps you should take to ensure you have a successful appeal letter.
Step 1: Calculate beforehand
Rather than just asking for an more money in the letter, it is important that you know exactly how much you need. You need to calculate all your shortcomings and state them in the letter. This will show the officer that you have thought this through and show them how much you need and for what further strengthening your case for the appeal.
Step 2: See if the appeal can actually work
There is no point in appealing if you know that the school doesn’t have more money allocated to give for financial aid. Most schools when applying for aid give a rough estimate of how much money they normally give in terms of aid. So it is important that you know these figures. If you still have wiggle room in the amount they normally allocate your own aid, this figure will allow you to build a stronger case to ask for more money.
Step 3: Prove in the letter you need the aid
You will need to provide in the letter evidence that you have a need for the aid. You can provide the documentation that shows that you need the financial aid. Sometimes when a student has an offer from more than one college and would like to go to the one that has offered a little less aid, you can leverage the other offer to get a little more. However, that is not always the case and depends on the student and the college.
Step 4: Appeal ahead of time
You should start working on your appeal and get it out to the college as soon as possible. It is important that you don’t cross enrolment and payment deadlines and appeals take some time. So plan ahead of time and get your appeal out as soon as you can.
Step 5: Make the letter personal
You should make the letter personal to the financial aid director, do a little research beforehand and find out who they are. You should also let them know that the college is your first-preference and add a bit of what you would bring to the college.
Step 6: Ask for an appointment
You can also mention in the letter that you would be open to further discussing the appeal in person through an appointment or by phone if in-person is not an option. This shows that you are committed to going to the particular school.
It is important that you keep your appeal letter to the point and prepare beforehand all the information and documents that need to be on it. You want to make it as detailed as possible, showing your need for the aid to really build a case for yourself.
