Planning for college or training next year? Apply for the Vermont Grant and explore VSAC’s free scholarship booklet to help you cover costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choose from the list of menu topics to sort through our FAQs.
Appealing Your Financial Aid Offer
What is a financial aid appeal?
A financial aid appeal is a request to your college financial aid office (or offices) and VSAC to re-evaluate your need-based financial aid due to a change in your financial circumstance or due to something that has had an impact on your (or your family’s) ability to pay for college.
Why should I appeal my financial aid?
Schools and VSAC have the ability to review your application using new information that you provide to determine whether you're eligible for additional financial aid.
How do I appeal my financial aid?
Your first step should be to call or email your college financial aid office (or offices) and VSAC to explain your situation and find out whether an appeal can be considered.
Should the email or call come from the student, or is it appropriate for a parent to make the call?
The parent can call with the initial inquiry, but the college may require that the student get in touch as well. When contacting VSAC with a question involving a dependent student, either the parent or the student can make the initial call.
When should I appeal my financial aid?
You should appeal your financial aid as soon as you know that your situation has changed.
Whom do we contact at VSAC?
You can email grants@vsac.org or call us at 802-654-3750 or 800-882-4166.
When I appeal my financial aid, will that also include room and board or just tuition and fees?
When you appeal your financial aid award, usually VSAC and colleges will look at the entire cost of your education, including room and board.
VSAC and every college will consider special circumstances on a case-by-case basis. There may be differences in what each school and VSAC consider an appealable situation.
What if our income hasn't changed significantly, but we've had medical expenses (about $10,000) and unexpected urgent house repair costs (like a failed septic system). Will those things be taken into account?
VSAC and colleges will consider special circumstances on a case-by-case basis. There may be differences in what each school and VSAC consider an appealable situation.
Should I appeal my financial aid, since my income is significantly less now than what I reported on my financial aid applications?
Yes, if your income will be significantly less than what was provided on the financial aid applications, you should appeal.
VSAC and every college will consider special circumstances on a case-by-case basis. There may be differences in what each school and VSAC consider an appealable situation.
What documentation will I need to provide?
If you’re appealing your income, you'll most likely need to complete an estimated income worksheet. VSAC’s is available online. Log into your MyVSAC account and complete the worksheet on your To Do list. If you don’t see the worksheet, e-mail VSAC’s Grant Program or call them at 800-882-4166 or 802-654-3750.
If you're appealing medical bills that you've paid, you may be asked to provide copies of the bills and the payments. Each appeal is different, and VSAC and schools will let you know what they need for documentation.