Hey folks, I need some advice! I recently received my financial aid package but it's not enough to cover the costs of my top-choice school. I’ve heard you can write an appeal letter to ask for more aid, but I’m not really sure how to go about this.
What should I include in the letter to make a strong case for additional financial assistance? Are there specific details or pieces of information that are particularly persuasive?
If anyone has experience with writing a successful financial aid appeal letter or has some tips to share, I would really appreciate it. I'm feeling a bit lost on how to approach this, thanks!
Writing an effective financial aid appeal letter involves a precise balance between tact, clarity, and strong factual evidence. Here's a general guide to help you:
1. Opening Paragraph: Start with a polite and concise introduction. Clearly state who you are, your admission status, and the purpose of the letter - that you are appealing the current financial aid package.
2. Reason for Appeal: Proceed to elaborate on the circumstances leading to this appeal. This could include any major changes in your family's financial status since the FAFSA submission, such as job loss, medical emergencies, natural disasters, etc. The more specific and detailed you can be here, the better.
3. Evidence: It’s crucial to provide documentation to back your claims. This could be anything from medical bills to termination letters. It’s important to be honest, colleges have ways of verifying the information.
4. Comparison Financial Package(s): If you've received more generous offers from other schools, you can mention this in your letter. However, handle this comparison with tact, being careful not to come off as demanding or as if you're trying to pressure the school.
5. Emphasize Your Interest: Highlight your interest in the school and how committed you are to attending, assuming the financial constraints can be alleviated. Universities like to know that their money is going towards a student who truly desires to be there.
6. Gratitude: Conclude the appeal by thanking the financial aid committee for considering your appeal and contact information, so they can reach back out.
Sending an appeal doesn't guarantee that more money will be awarded, but a well-written, sincere, and evidence-backed appeal letter can definitely improve your chances. Make sure to stick to the point, be humble and honest, and proofread your letter for grammatical errors. As far as timelines are concerned, the sooner you get the appeal in, the better as funds can be limited. Check with your specific school for guidelines, some schools may have online forms to make the appeal instead of a letter!
On a final note, I strongly recommend double-checking with the college's financial aid office. They may have specific requirements for what to include or what format to use.
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