Why Appealing Your College's Merit Award Decision is Worth the Effort

As a high school senior, you’ve spent countless hours filling out applications, writing essays, and gathering transcripts and letters of recommendation to apply for college. After all of your hard work, you finally receive a decision letter from your top-choice school. You eagerly open it, only to find out that you did not receive the financial aid or merit award that you were hoping for.

While this news can be disheartening, it is important to remember that a college’s decision is not always final. In many cases, you have the opportunity to appeal their decision and provide additional information that may sway their decision in your favor.

To appeal a financial aid or merit award decision, the first step is to review the school’s policy for appeals. This information can usually be found on the college’s financial aid or admissions website. The policy will outline the process for submitting an appeal and the deadlines for doing so.


Once you have a clear understanding of the process, it is important to gather any additional information that could support your case. This could include updated financial information, academic achievements or awards, or information about any extenuating circumstances that may have impacted your ability to perform at your best.


When crafting your appeal letter, be sure to be respectful and professional in your tone. Explain your situation clearly and concisely, and provide any additional information that you have gathered to support your case. Remember that the goal of your letter is to convince the college to reconsider their decision, so be sure to provide compelling reasons why you believe you deserve more financial aid or a merit award.


Appealing a financial aid or merit award decision can be a challenging process, but it is worth the effort if it means receiving the support you need to attend your top-choice college. By reviewing the school’s policy for appeals, gathering additional information, and crafting a compelling appeal letter, you can increase your chances of success and ultimately achieve your academic and career goals.


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