Financial Aid Appeals | PCPR Website

Students across Philadelphia are receiving financial aid offers that leave significant unmet need — and many are questioning whether college is still possible. Yet the appeal process varies widely across institutions, making it difficult for practitioners to know how to guide families with confidence.

In this virtual session, financial aid experts will break down what strong appeals typically include, how professional judgment works, and what commonly slows the process down. We'll also explore how to support students whose packages still fall short, even after an appeal. Participants will leave with clearer expectations and practical strategies to help families navigate a process that is often inconsistent and opaque.

Topics Will Include

What makes an appeal compelling (with anonymized examples)
Coaching families on documentation and communication
Understanding professional judgment from the financial aid officer's perspective
Supporting students whose aid packages still don't meet need
What slows down the process — and how practitioners can help families prepare
A panel-style "Inside the Financial Aid Office" walkthrough of how decisions are made

Presenters

Fred Stennis and Isaiah Ellis, Co-founders, Navicore Partners, formerly with Federal Student Aid Awareness & Outreach Group, U.S. Department of Education

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Navigating Financial Aid Appeals

Navigating Financial Aid Appeals: What Practitioners Need to Know

Topics Will Include

Presenters

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