How do I appeal Dartmouth financial aid decisions?

To appeal a Dartmouth financial aid decision, the usual path is to contact the Office of Financial Aid after you receive your award, explain the specific mismatch between your aid forms and your family’s actual situation, and request a reevaluation. Dartmouth reviews appeals case by case, and the strongest appeals include clear documentation of changed or unusual circumstances such as job loss, reduced income, major medical expenses, separation or divorce, or one-time income that made the FAFSA or CSS Profile look stronger than your family really is. The process is not just a general request for more aid, so the details and paperwork matter a lot.

In practice, students typically start by emailing or calling Dartmouth Financial Aid and asking what materials they want for a reconsideration. You should be ready to provide a concise written explanation of the circumstance, the timing, and how it affects your family’s ability to pay. Supporting documents often include recent pay stubs, a letter from an employer about unemployment or reduced hours, medical bills, proof of unusual expenses, updated tax information, or documentation related to separation, divorce, or loss of benefits.

If the issue is that the FAFSA or CSS Profile does not capture a current change, say that directly.

It also helps to be specific about what seems inaccurate in the original calculation.

Dartmouth is need-blind for admissions for all applicants and meets 100 percent of demonstrated need, so appeals are generally about correcting or updating the school’s assessment of need rather than negotiating merit aid.