Appeal Process: Current and Returning Undergraduates

At Tufts University, we are committed to providing financial aid to students with demonstrated need. Tufts does not offer merit-based aid. 

While we recognize that financial circumstances may change, our appeal process ensures fairness and prioritizes the allocation of limited resources to students with the greatest need. All appeals are carefully reviewed based on established policies, and no appeal will be considered without the required documentation.

If your family has experienced a significant change in financial circumstances, or if there are special circumstances or new information not previously considered, you may submit an appeal to have your financial aid application reviewed.

Prior Year Income Change (2024 Income)

• If your 2024 parental income is at least 15% lower than in 2023, Tufts may consider an appeal based on 2024 income.

Recent Income Change (2025 Income)

• If you are unemployed or underemployed, the situation must persist for at least six months.
• We are not currently reviewing 2025 income appeals. You may contact our office in September 2025 to check if additional funding remains for a potential reevaluation of your spring semester financial aid. Please plan accordingly for your fall semester bill, as any additional funding would only impact the spring semester.

Out-of-Pocket Medical Expenses

• Medical expenses exceeding 4% of total income may be considered. Documentation, including insurance claims and proof of final patient responsibility, is required.

One-Time Income Events (e.g., Retirement Distribution, Capital Gains, Unemployment)

• Documentation must verify that the income event was one-time and non-recurring.

Currency Appeals 

• Exceptions may be considered for currencies that have significantly devalued (by 30% or more) for a sustained period (six months or longer).

Additional Semester Appeals

• Limited funding may be available for up to one additional semester beyond your standard eligibility, as detailed in Renewal of Financial Aid Awards. No funding is available for a second additional term at this time.
• Documentation should include a statement detailing the necessity for an additional semester of aid in order to graduate.
• Requests will not be considered for students wishing to complete a minor or 2nd major.

The following types of appeals will not be considered:

• High consumer debt
• Personal expenses
• Appeals based on potential future events
• Appeals for funding to purchase a laptop

• Appeals are typically reviewed only after the initial financial aid package is released. Some exceptions may allow an appeal to be considered earlier (e.g. 2024 documentation included in original application material).  
• Priority deadline is July 15, 2025.

These documents can be submitted to request reconsideration of your 2024-2025 aid decision after you receive the notification letter. We begin emailing financial aid decision letters to currently enrolled students at the end of June.

To initiate an appeal, please submit the following items to IDOC:

• A completed Appeal Form.
• A detailed explanation letter outlining the circumstances, along with any supporting documentation. Appeals are evaluated based on the reason provided and the supporting materials submitted.
• A complete copy of the 2024 Parent Federal Income Tax Returns and W-2s, including all schedules, statements, and attachments, and if applicable, federal business returns.

All documents must be submitted to IDOC. Tax and/or income documents submitted by email will not be accepted.

After the Appeal Form, explanation letter, tax returns and supporting documents have been received, the Financial Aid Committee will review your appeal and provide a decision within 7-10 business days.

Dependency appeals are only reviewed for documented unusual circumstances (i.e., abuse, abandonment, etc.). The Higher Education Act allows an aid administrator to make dependency overrides on a case-by-case basis for students with unusual circumstances. Please note that none of the conditions listed below, singly or in combination, qualify as unusual circumstances or merit a dependency override:

• Parents refuse to contribute to the student's education.
• Parents are unwilling to provide information on the application or for verification.
• Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes.
• Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency.