How to Ask for More College Aid

Each spring, families begin reviewing their college financial aid offers and asking the same important questions: Is this the final number? Can we ask the college to reconsider this award? Who should we contact to talk about this? 

For College Coach Finance Educators, helping families understand financial aid policies and procedures before making the decision that will shape the next four years of their lives is a top priority. While financial aid offers are meticulously constructed, there are situations where an award may be reviewed. 

That said, the process is often misunderstood. Colleges operate within a framework of internal and external financial aid policies, as well as limited institutional budgets. Because of this, how a family approaches the conversation can make a meaningful difference. This article is intended to help families differentiate between the aid review options that may be available at any given institution.  

Two Types of Aid That May Be Reviewed 

Before requesting a review, it is important to understand the two main types of aid that colleges offer. 

Merit Aid 

Merit aid is a scholarship awarded for academic achievement, leadership, artistic talent, athletic ability, or other accomplishments. These awards are usually determined during the admissions process. 

Need-Based Aid 

Need-based aid is financial assistance determined by a family’s financial information submitted through the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile. Colleges use this information to evaluate a family’s financial circumstances and determine eligibility for grants, work-study, and federal loans. 

When families consider asking a college to review a financial aid package, institutions generally evaluate requests in one of two ways: a merit scholarship reconsideration (often referred to informally as a negotiation or scholarship appeal) or a financial aid appeal (sometimes referred to as a special circumstance review). 

Understanding the distinction between these two processes can help families focus their request on the portion of aid the college may have the ability to change. 

Merit Scholarship Reconsideration 

If a student has received strong merit scholarship offers from institutions that are not necessarily their first choice, the student may choose to ask their first-choice college to reconsider their merit scholarship in light of these better offers that are leading the student elsewhere. 

In these situations, families are typically asking the college to review the student’s academic profile in comparison to competing scholarship offers. It is important to note that leveraging competing ors is most effective when the offers come from comparable institutions.  

While colleges are not required to match offers from other institutions, some colleges may review the request if the student is a strong academic fit. 

Financial Aid Appeals  

Appeals are typically submitted when a family’s financial situation has changed or when the information reflected in the original financial aid application no longer represents the family’s current circumstances.

Examples might include: 

• Job loss or reduced income 
• Significant medical, dental, or mental health expenses 
• Divorce or changes in household structure 
• One-time income increases (such as IRA rollover, 401k/retirement withdrawal, capital gains, inheritance, or settlement) 
• Disability or death of a parent 

In these cases, families may submit documentation and ask the financial aid office to review the application through a process often called a special circumstance or professional judgment review. During this process, the financial aid office evaluates the new information and determines whether the student’s need-based aid eligibility should be recalculated. 

Understanding the difference between merit scholarship reconsideration and a financial aid appeal helps families determine which office to contact and how to frame their request appropriately. Once a family establishes which approach makes the most sense, they can begin reaching out to colleges. The best way to start is by drafting a respectful and concise email. 

This message should include: 

• Gratitude for the students’ acceptance and any scholarships already offered 
• A reaffirmed interest in the institution 
• A brief explanation of the family’s situation and the conversation they are hoping to have 
• Appreciation for the college’s time and consideration

Approaching the conversation professionally helps ensure the college clearly understands the request and can guide a family through the appropriate next steps. Institutions are fully aware of the role financial aid offers play in decision-making for families. Understanding how financial aid policies work and knowing when and what kind of review to request can alleviate some of the financial concern involved in making a final enrollment decision.