How do I appeal a financial aid award at the University of New Hampshire?

At the University of New Hampshire, you generally appeal financial aid by contacting the UNH Financial Aid Office and submitting a professional written request for reconsideration with documentation of changed circumstances. The strongest appeals are based on new financial information that was not reflected on your FAFSA or CSS Profile, such as job loss, reduced income, major medical expenses, divorce or separation, or other significant household changes. A package that simply feels too low is usually not enough on its own, so the key is showing a specific reason your family’s current finances differ from what UNH used to calculate aid.

Start by checking UNH’s financial aid website or your student portal for any appeal or special circumstances form, since schools often have a formal process for this. If no form is listed, email or call the Financial Aid Office and ask about a professional judgment review or special circumstances appeal. It helps to do this as soon as possible, because aid reviews can take time.

Your appeal should include a clear explanation of what has changed, the date the change happened, and how it affects your family’s ability to pay. Include documents that support the claim, such as recent pay stubs, a termination letter, unemployment documentation, medical bills, proof of reduced hours, tax documents, or a letter explaining unusual one-time income that made your prior tax return look stronger than your actual situation.

Keep the tone factual and concise. State that you want to enroll at UNH, explain the gap, and ask whether your aid can be reconsidered based on the documented change in circumstances.

After you submit, monitor your UNH email and portal closely in case they request more information. If the appeal is denied or only partly adjusted, ask whether there are additional options such as payment plans, federal direct loans, parent loans, or departmental scholarships.