How to Write a Financial Aid Appeal Letter: Dos, Don’ts, and Downloadable PDF Templates

Getting an acceptance letter from your top college can feel like winning the lottery. It’s a moment of excitement, pride, and enthusiasm about life’s next big adventure. While having an acceptance letter in hand is uplifting, what happens if your top school’s financial aid package simply isn’t enough? 

Finding out your financial aid is insufficient is disheartening, but don’t give up: Writing a financial aid appeal letter to your school could help you get the additional funds you need to pay for college. Here’s when to consider a financial aid appeal letter, how to write one, plus some helpful templates to get you started. 

Table of Contents

1. When to write a financial aid appeal letter
2. How to write a financial aid letter
3. Dos and don’ts of writing an effective financial aid appeal letter 
4. Example #1: SAP appeal letter
5. Example #2: Appeal letter for dependent student
6. Example #3: Appeal letter for independent student
7. What to do if your appeal letter is denied
8. FAQ 

When to write a financial aid appeal letter

There are many scenarios in which it makes sense to write an appeal letter—it never hurts to ask your school for more money if you need it—but here are some common reasons to put pen to paper:

• Your financial aid package won’t cover your school costs.
• Your family’s financial situation has changed since you submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Another school offered you more aid, and you hope your top school will match it.
• You made a mistake on your FAFSA that affected your aid.
• You’re experiencing hardship, injury, trauma, or illness, and your school denied financial aid because you’re struggling academically.
• You hope to get additional financial assistance. Be sure to explain how this aid would help you achieve your educational goals. 

Writing a financial aid appeal letter might only take you an hour or two, and it could mean thousands of dollars in extra help, so it’s probably worth the time. 

And if you’re wondering about timing, there’s no specific time frame for writing your letter; instead, it’ll depend on your situation. 

For instance, you might choose to write an appeal letter shortly after receiving your initial financial aid package from your school. You could do it mid-semester if your school notifies you that it’s suspending your aid because your GPA has dropped. 

Read More

How Much Aid Will I Get with the FAFSA? and How to Get Financial Aid When Your Parents Make Too Much

How to write a financial aid letter

Understanding the process for creating a successful letter and then making time to map yours out before putting pen to paper can make it much easier to write. Here are the steps to complete the process:

1. Contact the school to talk about the process and where to send a letter

Your school’s financial aid office might have a specific process for these letters and where to send them, so you’ll want to contact them about their guidelines. Also, make sure to ask if they need you to include any additional documentation with your letter. 

2. Determine how much aid you need

Figure out how much additional aid you’ll need for school. That way, you can mention a specific number in your letter so your school can understand your needs. 

3. Gather supporting documents

Collect any documentation your school requires. For instance, you might need to include proof of any financial hardships, such as high medical bills or a letter stating a parent’s layoff. 

4. Write your appeal letter

The appeal letter should be in your own words and voice. Take your time, make it personal, let your school know you’re excited and grateful to attend, and be clear with your request. If possible, keep the letter to one page.

5. Submit your letter

Mail or email the letter to the appropriate financial aid representative. They may have many appeal letters to go through, so wait a few weeks before following up. 

Depending on the reason for the denial, gather additional information or documentation that can be used in the appeal. Include relevant supporting documents that substantiate the claims and explain any extenuating circumstances that may have affected academic performance or the situation.

Dos and don’ts of writing an effective financial aid appeal letter 

As you work through these steps, consider the following dos and don’ts as best practices for writing an effective appeal letter.

Do	Don’t
Address your letter to the right person in your school’s financial aid office	Forget to contact your school about its process for appeal letters
Talk about how happy, grateful, and excited you are to attend your school	Forget to include documentation to help your case
Be clear about the amount you need to help pay for school	Avoid specifics about your financial situation and any hardships
Be concise	Write a very long letter
Write in your own voice and tone	Forget to proofread

Read More

Am I Eligible for Financial Aid?

One of the best ways to help you implement these best practices is to use an example letter as a guide. Below, we’ve included a few examples of appeal letters for different reasons and links to download the examples as PDFs. (Note, the schools are real; the recipient and student names are not.)

Use them as a starting point to write your appeal letter. But remember: the letter should be genuine and in your voice—copying and pasting won’t do the trick.

An appeal letter is a formal avenue to request a decision be overturned. In this scenario (as well as others!), your language and tone should reflect this—at no point straying into angry or accusatory language. Keep it to an honest tone! 

Example #1: SAP appeal letter

Dear Ms. Dennison, 

I’m a junior at the University of Georgia, and the financial aid office recently informed me my financial aid is suspended for the fall due to poor academic performance. I’d like to start by saying how much I’ve enjoyed my experience at UGA and how grateful I am to be a part of this school. That said, extenuating circumstances have made it difficult for me to maintain my grades.  

After feeling sick for several weeks last semester, I was diagnosed with a rare chronic illness called Addison’s disease, which means my body doesn’t produce enough cortisol. Addison’s zapped my energy and left me unable to get out of bed most days due to hormonal insufficiency. I worked out a plan with my professors and did my best to stick to it, but my GPA still fell slightly short of the 2.0 required to maintain my financial aid. 

Before my diagnosis, I maintained GPAs of 3.5 and 3.6, respectively, during my first and second years of college. Now that I’m on the proper course of medication, my illness is much more manageable. If possible, I’d like to retake a couple of my classes this summer to improve my grades. I’d also like to request that UGA please reinstate my financial aid for the upcoming fall semester.

Thanks for your consideration.

Regards,
Jill Milner 

Several things work well about this letter:

• In the first paragraph, Jill expresses how grateful she is to attend UGA.
• She shares specific information about how her illness impacted her academics.
• She also highlights her strong academic history, calling out her GPAs from prior school years. 
• The letter explains her situation clearly; it’s concise and well-written. 

Example #2: Appeal letter for dependent student

Dear Mr. Tenney,

I’m an incoming freshman at Columbia, my top-choice school. When I received my acceptance letter last month, I was elated. And while I’m immensely grateful I was accepted, my family’s financial situation has changed significantly since I completed my FAFSA. I’m afraid I can’t attend Columbia without additional monetary support.

My dad was laid off from his job as a product manager at American Manufacturing Company eight months ago, and with the tight labor market, he’s been unable to secure a new role despite submitting over a hundred applications. My mom’s weekly take-home income is $625, and we’re barely covering our monthly living expenses, which amount to $3,200.

I’ve applied to several local scholarships and managed to secure an additional $3,500 in funding for school, but my financial aid is still falling short by $15,000 for the coming year. I’m humbly requesting you reevaluate my eligibility for aid based on the changes to my family’s financial situation. 

Thank you for your consideration,

Miguel Martin

Several things work well about this letter:

• In the first paragraph, Miguel mentions how elated and grateful he is for his acceptance to Columbia. He also gets to the point and mentions that his financial situation has changed. 
• He specifically mentions what’s changed and calls out numbers to explain his family’s financial struggle after the job loss. 
• He discusses how he works to close the funding gap by applying for local scholarships. 
• He also mentions the additional gap he needs to cover for the coming year. 

Example #3: Appeal letter for independent student

Dear Ms. Markey,

I’m excited about my recent acceptance to the University of Maine. As an independent student, I’ve worked very hard throughout high school to earn high grades and have applied for several scholarships through the state of Maine and local organizations. Despite receiving $2,300 in scholarship awards and working as a part-time tutor, I’m still unable to cover my tuition costs this fall. I’ve also asked my uncle for additional financial help, but he can’t provide it at this time. 

Is it possible to review my financial aid eligibility to see if I qualify for additional funding? I’m working on saving up, but I estimate my shortfall will be around $3,000 for the coming year. I would be very grateful for your help. 

Thank you for your consideration,

Thomas Billings

Several things work well about this letter:

• Thomas’s letter is concise and to the point. 
• In the first paragraph, he discusses how excited he is to attend UMaine and mentions his hard work and dedication. 
• He calls out that he’s applied for several scholarships, which highlights his good faith effort to cover costs. 
• He also mentions he’s sought help from a relative, though the relative can’t provide it. 
• Finally, Thomas mentions his estimated shortfall. 

Avoid adding information, documentation, or making unsupported claims based on opinion rather than objective evidence. It is best to keep this professional, with the appropriate supporting documentation.

What to do if your appeal letter is denied

Getting a financial aid appeal denied can be frustrating, but it doesn’t mean you’re out of options. If you still need help covering tuition, here’s what you can do next.

1. Talk to the financial aid office

Just because your appeal was denied doesn’t mean the conversation is over. Contact the financial aid office and ask why your request was denied. They may be able to suggest other resources, like emergency grants, additional work-study opportunities, or tuition payment plans.

2. Apply for scholarships and grants

There’s a lot of free money out there—you just have to find it. Look for scholarships and grants from private organizations, community groups, or even your school. Many scholarships go unclaimed simply because students don’t apply.

3. Set up a payment plan

If paying tuition all at once isn’t realistic, check if your school offers a tuition payment plan. This lets you break up your bill into smaller monthly payments instead of paying a lump sum upfront.

4. Consider private student loans

A private student loan can help fill the gap if you’ve exhausted all other options. Unlike federal loans, private loans typically require a credit check and may need a cosigner. Interest rates and repayment terms vary by lender, so it’s important to shop around for the best deal.

We’ve compiled a list of the best private student loans to help you compare options. Check out our recommendations here.

FAQ 

How long does it take to receive a response after sending a financial aid appeal letter?

Most schools take two to four weeks to process a financial aid appeal, though some may respond sooner. If you haven’t heard back after four weeks, follow up with the financial aid office by phone or email to check the status of your appeal. If the deadline for tuition payments is approaching, consider following up after two weeks to ensure your appeal is being reviewed in time.

Should I include health information in my letter if it is relevant to my financial aid needs?

Yes, if medical expenses or a health condition significantly impact your financial situation, you should include this information in your appeal. Be specific about how these circumstances have affected your ability to pay for school and provide supporting documentation, such as medical bills or a doctor’s note, if required.

If my appeal is successful, how long does the extra aid last?

The duration of additional aid depends on the school’s policy and the type of assistance granted. Some adjustments apply only for one academic year, meaning you may need to submit another appeal if your financial situation remains the same. Others, like adjustments due to permanent circumstances, may last for the duration of your program.

Should the parent or the student write a financial aid appeal letter?

The student should write the appeal letter, as it demonstrates personal responsibility and direct communication with the financial aid office. However, parents can include a supporting statement if their financial situation is the primary reason for the appeal.

How do I know where to send my financial aid appeal letter?

Most colleges provide instructions on their financial aid office website, including where to send appeals. You can also call or email the financial aid office to confirm the correct recipient and preferred submission method.

Is a mailed letter or email more effective when writing a financial aid appeal?

An email is usually the best option because it reaches the financial aid office faster and provides an electronic record of your submission. However, follow their preferred process if the school specifically requests a mailed letter or an online form.

What is considered a good excuse for an SAP appeal?

A strong SAP appeal should cite extenuating circumstances beyond your control, such as:

• Medical issues (illness, injury, or mental health challenges)
• Family emergencies (death or illness of an immediate family member)
• Unforeseen financial hardship (loss of a job, unexpected expenses)
• Other significant disruptions (natural disasters, homelessness, or legal issues)