Why was my daughter denied work-study with SAI 3470 and sufficient financial need?

Thank you for explaining! I had no idea timing could impact work-study availability that much. Do you think it's worth asking if they maintain a waitlist for work-study in case other students decline?

That's helpful context - we did submit in early January but it took until mid-March to process. I guess that could be considered "late" in terms of aid distribution. Did your son eventually get work-study or find another campus job?

This is partially incorrect. Regular student employment earnings DO count on the FAFSA (affect your SAI calculation) but work-study earnings are excluded. For some families, this can make a significant difference for next year's aid package - especially if the student earns close to the $7,000 student income protection allowance. With a $29K gap and a 3470 SAI, every bit of aid matters.

Oh shoot, you're right! Sorry for the confusion. I still think regular campus jobs might be an option though - my daughter's earnings were under the protection threshold so it didn't affect us.

I've been trying to call but keep hitting the automated system or voicemail. Thanks for the suggestion - I need answers quickly since the deposit deadline is approaching. I'll check out the site you mentioned!

Thats what my son ended up doing! He got a job in the science lab and it actually pays more than work study would have so it worked out better lol

That's a great idea I hadn't considered! She's planning to major in biology so maybe there are lab assistant positions available. I'll definitely have her ask about department-specific opportunities.

That's excellent news! It's always worth following up on these discrepancies. What reason did they give for the initial omission?

They said it was an oversight during their initial review. Apparently her application was flagged for verification (though we never received notification about that), which delayed processing her full aid package. After my inquiry, they did a secondary review and determined she was indeed eligible for the maximum work-study amount. I'm so relieved!

Completely agree with your last point. With an SAI that low and a $29K gap after federal aid, the institution should be offering more need-based institutional grants. OP should definitely appeal for additional institutional aid beyond just securing work-study.

You've given me something else to consider - I haven't thought about appealing for more institutional aid. The $50K includes merit scholarships and some need-based grants from the school, but you're right that the gap is still substantial. I'll draft an appeal letter tonight!

Welcome to the community! For appeals, definitely include comparable aid offers from similar institutions - that's one of the strongest pieces of evidence. Also document any changes in your family's financial circumstances since filing the FAFSA (job loss, medical expenses, etc.). Be specific about the gap amount and explain how it impacts your daughter's ability to attend. Many schools have appeal forms on their websites, but a well-written letter with supporting documentation works too. The key is being factual and respectful while clearly demonstrating the financial need. Good luck!

Great advice from @NeonNinja! I'd also add that timing matters for appeals - submit as soon as possible since schools often have limited funds for additional awards. Include documentation of your Expected Family Contribution vs. actual ability to pay, and don't be afraid to mention if the school is your daughter's top choice. Financial aid offices want to enroll students who will actually attend. Also, consider appealing to multiple departments - sometimes the admissions office has additional merit funds even if financial aid is tapped out. The worst they can say is no, but you might be surprised by what becomes available!

Welcome! Both @NeonNinja and @Rajiv Kumar gave excellent advice. I d'also suggest reaching out to the financial aid office for an appointment rather than just submitting documents - face-to-face conversations even (virtual can) be more impactful than letters alone. When I appealed my son s'package last year, the counselor was able to walk me through exactly what additional documentation would strengthen our case. Also, don t'forget to mention any special circumstances like caring for elderly family members, recent divorce, or other factors that might not be reflected in your FAFSA but impact your ability to pay. Schools have more flexibility than people realize, especially for students they really want to enroll!

Welcome to the community! I'm relatively new here too, but I've been following this thread closely since I'm dealing with a similar situation. One thing I learned from reading other posts is that you should also check if the school has an online financial aid portal where you can submit appeals digitally - some schools process these faster than mailed letters. Also, if you have any documentation showing increased costs (like medical bills or home repairs that weren't captured in your FAFSA), include those as well. The more complete picture you can paint of your family's financial situation, the better. Has anyone here had success with appeals at private vs. public schools? I'm curious if one tends to be more generous than the other with additional aid.

Welcome @Liam O'Sullivan! As someone who just went through this process, I can share what worked for us. In addition to the great advice already given, make sure to highlight your daughter's academic achievements and how she'd contribute to the campus community - schools are more likely to find additional funds for students they really want to retain. Also, if you have any competing offers from peer institutions, definitely include those in your appeal. We compared our package to three similar schools and it made a huge difference. One tip I wish I'd known earlier - some schools have emergency aid funds or special hardship grants that aren't widely advertised. Ask specifically about these during your conversation with financial aid. The key is being persistent but polite, and following up if you don't hear back within a week. Don't give up after the first "no" - sometimes it takes multiple conversations to find the right solution!

Welcome @Liam O'Sullivan! I'm also new to this community and found this thread incredibly helpful. From what I've gathered reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like the appeal process can vary significantly between schools. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is checking if your target school participates in any consortium agreements with other institutions - sometimes they'll match aid packages from partner schools even if they wouldn't normally consider offers from other competitors. Also, if your daughter has any unique talents or interests (like specific research areas, community service, or leadership experience), make sure to highlight those in your appeal. Schools sometimes have departmental scholarships or special program funds that the general financial aid office might not initially consider. The key seems to be casting a wide net and exploring every possible avenue for additional funding. Good luck with your appeal - it sounds like persistence really pays off based on everyone's stories here!

Welcome @Liam O'Sullivan! As another newcomer who's been lurking and learning from this amazing community, I wanted to add one more perspective on financial aid appeals. Something I discovered through my own research is that many schools have separate appeal processes for different types of aid - merit vs. need-based vs. departmental awards. It might be worth asking the financial aid office if there are multiple avenues to explore simultaneously. Also, I've read that some schools are more responsive to appeals submitted by students themselves rather than parents, especially for merit-based reconsiderations. The student voice can sometimes carry more weight in demonstrating genuine interest and commitment to attending. Don't forget to check if your daughter qualifies for any state-specific aid programs that might not have been automatically considered - some states have last-dollar scholarship programs for students with significant financial need that can help bridge gaps like this. The learning curve is steep, but everyone here has been so helpful in sharing their experiences!

Welcome @Liam O'Sullivan! As a newcomer myself, I've found this community incredibly supportive. From reading through this thread and others, I've learned that appeal letters should be concise but comprehensive - include your SAI, total cost of attendance, current aid package breakdown, and the specific gap amount. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is to check if your school has a professional judgment review process, which allows financial aid officers to make adjustments based on special circumstances. Also, consider submitting your appeal in multiple formats if possible - both through their online portal and as a follow-up email with all documentation attached. Some schools also have student success or retention offices that work alongside financial aid to help students afford attendance. The timing advice everyone gave is crucial - many schools have rolling deadlines for additional aid consideration, but the earlier you appeal, the better your chances of securing funding before it's allocated elsewhere.

Welcome @Liam O'Sullivan! As someone new to navigating financial aid appeals myself, I've been following this thread closely and wanted to share what I've learned from other posts in this community. One strategy I haven't seen mentioned yet is asking about payment plan options that might make the remaining gap more manageable - some schools offer interest-free monthly payment plans that can help spread the cost. Also, consider reaching out to your daughter's intended academic department directly, as they sometimes have emergency funds or last-minute scholarship opportunities that aren't coordinated through the main financial aid office. I've also read that it can be helpful to frame your appeal not just in terms of need, but also in terms of your daughter's potential contributions to the campus community - schools want to invest in students who will enhance their academic environment. Don't forget to ask about work-study alternatives too, since regular campus employment might be available even if federal work-study funds are exhausted. The persistence everyone has shown in this thread is really inspiring!

Welcome @Liam O'Sullivan! As a newcomer to this community, I've been amazed by how helpful everyone has been with sharing their experiences. From what I've learned reading through various threads here, one often overlooked aspect of financial aid appeals is timing them strategically around enrollment deposit deadlines. Schools are sometimes more willing to find additional funding when they know a student they want to enroll might walk away due to financial constraints. Also, I'd suggest checking if your daughter's intended major falls under any STEM or high-demand programs that might have additional scholarship pools available - sometimes these funds are managed separately from general financial aid. Don't forget to ask about sibling discounts if applicable, or alumni connection benefits that might not have been initially considered. The community here has taught me that financial aid is much more nuanced than I originally thought, and there are often multiple paths to securing additional funding that aren't immediately obvious. Keep advocating for your family!