Financial aid can be an important part of a student’s educational experience at Wake Tech. However, there may be times when a student’s financial aid award is not sufficient to cover the cost of attendance. In such cases, the student may wish to appeal the award to see if additional funds are available.
Understanding Your Financial Aid Award
When a student receives a financial aid award letter, it is important to thoroughly review the award to make sure that it is accurate and complete. Also, it is important to understand the types of aid that are included in the award. Some of the types of financial aid that a student may receive include: grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study.
Grants and scholarships are forms of gift aid that do not need to be repaid. Loans are forms of aid that must be repaid. Work-study is an opportunity for students to earn money to help pay for their education. It is important to understand the details of each type of aid to make sure that the award is sufficient to cover the student’s educational expenses.
Eligibility for Financial Aid Appeal
The first step in appealing a financial aid award is to make sure that the student is eligible for the appeal process. In general, students may be eligible to appeal their financial aid award if there has been a change in their financial circumstances since the award letter was issued. Examples of changes in financial circumstances include: loss of employment, divorce, death in the family, or a decrease in income.
In addition to changes in financial circumstances, students may be eligible to appeal if there have been changes in their educational plans. Examples of changes in educational plans include: changing academic programs, changing enrollment status, or taking a leave of absence. If any of these changes have occurred since the award letter was issued, the student may be eligible to appeal their financial aid award.
Filing an Appeal
If a student is eligible to appeal their financial aid award, the next step is to file the appeal. In most cases, the student will need to submit a written request to the school’s financial aid office. The request should include detailed information about the student’s financial circumstances and educational plans. It is also important to include any supporting documents that may help to demonstrate the need for additional financial aid.
The financial aid office will review the appeal and determine if additional funds are available. Depending on the school, the student may be contacted for additional information or to schedule a meeting with a financial aid advisor. It is important to respond promptly to any requests for additional information so that the appeal can be processed quickly.
Options for Additional Funding
If additional funds are available, the student will receive a revised award letter. The revised award letter will include information about the additional funds that have been approved. In most cases, the additional funds will be in the form of loans. The student will need to complete the loan application process in order to receive the additional funds.
In some cases, the financial aid office may be able to provide additional grants or scholarships. If this is the case, the student will not need to complete any additional paperwork in order to receive the additional funds. However, it is important to remember that grants and scholarships are typically limited and may not be available to all students who appeal their financial aid award.
Additional Resources
If a student is having difficulty understanding the financial aid process or filing an appeal, there are several resources available to help. The financial aid office at Wake Tech can provide assistance and answer questions about the process. In addition, there are several online resources that can provide helpful information about filing an appeal and understanding financial aid awards.
Conclusion
Appealing a financial aid award can be a complicated process, but it can also be an important step in securing additional funds for college. It is important for students to understand their financial aid award and be aware of their eligibility for an appeal. If a student is eligible to appeal, filing a written request with the financial aid office is the first step in the process. With the right information and resources, students can successfully appeal their financial aid award and receive additional funds to help cover their educational expenses.