[ CAREER ]

The aid office can adjust
your package.

Your FAFSA numbers aren't the final word. Financial aid offices have 'professional judgment' authority to adjust — when you ask, in writing, with documentation. PrimeDeck drafts the letter that moves the needle.

Sign up free · 3 runs/monthHow it works

Pay-per-run unlocks one analysis immediately — no subscription, no card on file afterward. $0.99 per run. Prefer a subscription? Signup includes 3 free runs/month.

60s
Time to draft
4
Appeal types
$0.99
Per letter
[ HOW IT WORKS ]
01 · TYPE
Pick the appeal type
Special circumstances, dependency override, professional judgment, or SAP appeal. Each has different framing and documentation requirements.
02 · DETAILS
Your circumstance + documentation
What changed, when, and what you can prove. School, academic year, aid amount if known. The more specific, the stronger the letter.
03 · SEND
Letter + checklist + next steps
Formal letter ready to mail or email, documentation checklist, escalation paths if denied, and a subject line that gets past the inbox filter.
[ WHAT YOU GET ]
SPECIAL
Special circumstances
Income loss, medical expenses, divorce, death — changes since the FAFSA was filed. Grounded in HEA §479A professional-judgment authority.
DEPENDENCY
Dependency override
Estrangement, abuse, abandonment. Cites 34 CFR §668.2 and flags the third-party documentation bar (counselor, clergy, therapist).
PJ
Professional judgment
Specific costs the formula missed — sibling private tuition, elder care, special-needs caregiving. Letter asks for a documented adjustment.
SAP
SAP appeal
Failed GPA or credit-completion minimum. Letter explains what went sideways AND includes a concrete plan to restore progress.
DOCS
Documentation checklist
Exactly what to attach for your appeal type. Tax returns, termination letters, medical records, third-party letters — no guessing.
ESCALATION
Paths if denied
School appeals committee, ED Ombudsman, state higher-ed agency, NCAN counselors. A denial isn't the end — the letter tells you where to go next.
[ PRICING ]

Pay only when you need it.

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Frequently asked questions

What's a FAFSA appeal, and who can file one?+
An appeal to your school's financial aid office asking them to reconsider your aid package based on circumstances the FAFSA formula didn't capture. Any student (or parent of a dependent student) can file one, at any point in the year. The financial aid office has legal 'professional judgment' authority to adjust your FAFSA data — but they only use it when you ask and document.
What four appeal types are supported?+
Special circumstances (income or job change, medical expenses, divorce, death — most common), dependency override (estranged from parents, unable to provide their info), professional judgment (one-time costs the formula missed — e.g. a disabled sibling's tuition), and SAP appeal (Satisfactory Academic Progress — after failing GPA or credit-completion thresholds).
What documents will I need to attach?+
Depends on the appeal type. Special circumstances: termination letter, unemployment filing, medical bills, divorce decree, death certificate. Dependency override: third-party letters (counselor, clergy, therapist) confirming estrangement. SAP appeal: medical records, grades showing improvement plan. The output gives you a specific checklist for your kind.
What are my odds of success?+
Special circumstances and professional judgment appeals with solid documentation are frequently approved — especially when the change is recent and documented. SAP appeals are harder and usually require an explicit academic plan. Dependency overrides are the hardest and require strong third-party evidence. The tool writes a stronger letter — but documentation is what moves the needle.
Will the school tell me why they denied it?+
They have to give you a reason, and you can usually re-appeal with stronger documentation. The output's 'notes for student' section flags escalation paths: the school's appeal process, the Ombudsman at the US Department of Education, and your state's higher education authority.
Is this legal advice?+
No. PrimeDeck is a drafting tool, not a financial-aid consultant or an attorney. For complex dependency-override or fraud-related cases, contact the financial aid office directly or talk to a college access counselor. Free help is available through organizations like NCAN and your state's higher education agency.
How much does it cost?+
$0.99 per letter. Or $19/mo Pro for 50 operations across every PrimeDeck tool. 3 free per month on the Free plan.