How to Appeal for More Need-Based Aid

Last month, we discussed how to appeal for more merit aid. You can see that blog post here. This month, we’re talking about how to appeal for more need-based aid. A few of the same principles apply: you want to speak with your region’s admission counselor first, be polite and respectful throughout the entire process, and follow up as needed.

There are many reasons you may qualify for a need-based aid appeal; the most common ones tend to be:

• Loss of parental employment

• Change in income and/or benefits 

• Death of a parent

• Significant medical expenses

To ask for more need-based aid, you will need to complete the following steps: 

1. Start by filling out the FAFSA (and CSS Profile, if required). 

The first step in applying for need-based aid is to fill out the FAFSA and CSS Profile (if the college requires it). I’ve written blog posts about these forms in the past, which you can find by clicking the hyperlinks in the previous sentence. Both of these forms use prior prior year tax returns and I understand that quite a bit can happen in two years! However, even if those tax returns aren’t indicative of your family’s current financial situation, fill them out as required. That gives the colleges a solid baseline for your appeal.

2. Once you’re admitted by a college, request a professional judgment. 

After a college has admitted you and you have your initial financial aid package, email your admission counselor, explaining how the FAFSA/CSS Profile did not correctly summarize your family’s financial situation. Briefly explain your situation and ask for a professional judgment or special circumstances form - make sure to use those exact words! It basically means that the college will review extenuating circumstances and consider if they want to override what they initially awarded you.

3. Complete the professional judgment/special circumstances form.

The good news is that this form is usually fairly straightforward: they’re going to ask why you’re appealing for more need-based aid and then ask for documentation that backs up the special circumstance. The bad news is that this documentation can be difficult to obtain and/or time consuming to put together (i.e. a compilation of all medical expenses paid out of pocket in the past year). Make sure you leave enough time for yourself to fully complete the form and get a response back before May 1st (National Decision Day) - you don’t want to feel rushed or run out of time! 

Once you’ve submitted the form, it’s now time to wait and see what the college comes back with. If one college isn’t able to meet your financial needs, move on to the next one. Every college’s financial situation is unique and you want to take advantage of every opportunity available to you.

Good luck! If you have any questions about the appeal process, please don’t hesitate to contact us.