Financial Aid Appeals
Has something changed in your life or finances? You may be able to ask us to take another look at your aid.
There are two types of appeals on this page. The first is for students whose financial situation has changed since they filed the FAFSA. The second is for students who want to ask for more scholarship money based on their academic record.
Need-Based Financial Aid Appeals
My financial situation has changed.
The FAFSA is based on income and tax information from a couple of years ago. But life changes, and sometimes your family's financial picture looks very different now than it did then. If that's the case, you can ask RWU to take another look.
Note: Submitting an appeal doesn't guarantee more aid, but it gives us the chance to consider your current situation, not just the numbers on your old tax return.
Special Circumstances
Common reasons (Special Circumstances) students file a need-based appeal:
- Loss of income: A parent or family member lost a job, retired, became disabled, or passed away.
- Documents you'll need: Recent pay stubs (three most recent ones from each job in the last calendar year), a termination letter from the employer, proof of unemployment benefits, retirement or disability benefit statements, or a death certificate. If there was life insurance or pension income after a death, include that too.
- Divorce or separation: Your parents separated or divorced; or, if you're an independent student, you and your spouse separated or divorced.
- Documents you'll need: Divorce decree or legal separation statement. If child or spousal support is involved, include court documentation showing amounts and end dates.
- Large medical bills: Your family paid significantly high out-of-pocket medical costs that weren't covered by insurance, between January 1 and December 31 of last year.
- Documents you'll need: Receipts or billing statements showing what was paid, and an itemized statement from your insurance company showing what they didn't cover.
- Change in household size: The number of people your family financially supports has changed, for example, a new dependent, or someone who is no longer supported.
- Documents you'll need: A written explanation of the change, including each person's name, age, relationship to you, and whether they're in college.
- Something else: Your situation doesn't fit neatly into a category above. You can still write a letter explaining your circumstances and submit it for review.
How to apply for Special Circumstance Appeals
Fill out the . Read it carefully, choose the option that best matches your situation, and include all required documents. The RWU Financial Aid Appeals Committee will review your case and let you know their decision by mail or phone. If your appeal is approved, you'll receive a revised aid offer in the mail.
All decisions are final. An appeal will only be reconsidered if you submit new information that wasn't included the first time.
Merit Aid/Scholarship Appeals
I want to ask for more scholarship money based on new information.
All admitted students are automatically considered for academic scholarships when they apply. If something academically significant has changed since you applied, or some relevant information was not originally included, you can submit a merit appeal.
How to apply: Submit a written appeal that includes your most recent official transcript or grade report. If there is additional context to your grades and performance that warrants explanation, you may submit specific letters of support from teachers, counselors, or others who can speak to your academic abilities or personal circumstances.
Please submit all requested materials to:
Email: admit@rwu.edu
Phone: 401-254-3500
Future aid tip: In future years, students with a GPA of 3.6 or higher may be eligible for an Academic Excellence Grant. Ask your financial aid counselor for details.