As a parent of a college bound high school student in Connecticut you must use every resource at your disposal to get free money to send your child to college. Regardless of the amount of loans that a college sends you in the financial aid awards letter you can appeal the award and potentially receive more free financial aid.

Here are some steps and tips that you may be able to use right away.

Figure out how much the college was short of meeting 100% of the financial need. Calculate the true cost at each college and decide the best financial aid offer. Take some time to determine if you really have a special circumstance.

Special Circumstances may include:

* Death Divorce/Separation Disability or Injury
* Unemployment Sickness, medical, or handicap expense
* Tuition for private schools
* Natural disasters
* Dislocated worker
* Unusually high child care expenses
* Un-reimbursed expenses shown on Form 2106
* One-time bonus
* Unusually high income
* Anything you can use to convince the financial aid officer

You can also check with the financial aid officer or admission office about the special circumstances that he or she has seen approved in the past. This can be done during a college visitation or by phone prior to or after receiving the financial aid awards letter. However if you want to make the biggest impact then you should do it in person. Do not hesitate to use the admissions office, coach, or other college officials to assist in the appeal. Remember to send documentation of the special circumstances.


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