Every spring there are thousands of Connecticut parents of college bound high school students who are devastated when they realize that the awards letter that they received from the colleges that their child applied to are substantially short of meeting the true cost of attendance. This happens because the college's award letter does not meet the student's financial needs either in the total amount of aid or in the type of aid and the student can appeal the award on that basis to the college. <br><br>
Every college has an appeal process that allows students to request a review of their financial aid eligibility and corresponding financial aid award offer. But before you go and contact each college then remember that each college determines its own regulations for this process, and be ready to be on your best professional behavior in order to get your appealed approved.<br><br>
If you already have received a financial aid award from a college then you have a hand up on the college because you know exactly what you need to meet your family financial situation. You should use this knowledge when appealing an award letter by being very specific in requesting additional funds. You should clearly state the reasons for the appeal, and request the specific amount of money that is needed. You should also be prepared to write the request and submit any required documents with the letter of appeal. <br><br>
After you have everything together and are ready to present your information then contact the financial aid officer (FAO). If at all possible the contact should be made in person; if this is not possible, the contact should be made by a telephone call. The "personal touch" could be the difference between a successful appeal and flat out rejection.<br><br>
In the appeal letter, you should ask the financial aid officer to exercise “Professional Judgment.” Professional Judgment is the authority given to the college financial aid officer to change the family's financial data in any way that would more accurately measure the family's ability to pay for educational costs. These professional judgments are only made in special circumstances, and only when you provide adequate documentation of these special circumstances.
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Sun, 06 Apr 2008 03:30:14 - 100%
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