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Negotiation and Appeal of Financial Aid Awards
Situations warranting negotiation or appeal of financial aid awards
include:
1. Change in family finances. If there has been a significant
change in family finances, such as a parent losing employment or income,
a family business declaring bankruptcy, or payment of unexpected huge
medical expenses not covered by insurance, explain how these changes
will cause a financial hardship on the family and how you (student
or parent) would like to request an increase in financial aid. Have
all supporting information ready to discuss or mail, such as new information
regarding a family’s reduction in income, severe family illness
and associated large unexpected medical bills, etc. Also, consider
writing a letter of special
circumstance to the college’s financial aid office.
2. The best offer of financial aid is not from the student’s
top choice college or university. If the best financial aid offer is
not from your favorite school, contact that school’s financial
aid office and explain how the school is your top choice, but financial
aid awards from another college are significantly better. You (student
or parent) must be honest and explain that the difference between financial
aid offers may force the student to enroll elsewhere. Ask if there
is anything the top choice school can do to adjust their financial
aid offer.
3. Other students with similar qualifications and in similar
financial situations have received more financial aid than you. If
you feel you have not been awarded a fair and reasonable amount of
financial aid by a particular college or university, give reasons why
and, if possible, cite other student applicants or current college
students who have been awarded more aid than you. Ask if your awards
can be increased to levels similar to the other students.
Verbal negotiation of financial aid awards (typically done by telephone)
should be handled by a parent ONLY. Students do not have the
knowledge or experience to effectively discuss (negotiate) finances,
nor do they fully understand the impact of the financial aid offered
by their colleges. In addition, students do not have the business
sense needed to make logical decisions and often have so many “stars
in their eyes” that they will take any offer just so they can
enroll in their dream school.
As a parent, your voice should express concern, not aggression! Don’t
be pushy – you don’t want to be perceived as a mettlesome
parent that will be a problem to the college every time something happens
that doesn’t benefit your son or daughter. If you call,
work with the financial aid officer, not against him/her. The
worst the financial aid officer can say is nothing can be done.
Written appeal of financial aid awards should be done by students
UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A PARENT. Written appeals are more effective
if sent from the student and can be made by e-mail or regular mail. Students
should send a letter of appeal to the financial aid officer responsible
for their file (or to the financial aid office if you do not know the
name of your financial aid officer) and explain your financial situation. Ask
if there is anything that can be done to increase your financial aid
awards. Student’s tone in their written letter of appeal
should be one of explanation and concern, not aggression or finger
pointing. |
