How to write an appeal for fee waiver Forum

Cventura0603 · Post by **Cventura0603** » Fri May 18, 2012 10:46 am

Hello everyone! I'm fairly new to the Lsac application process and I need some help! I was denied the Lsac fee waiver because I make too much money; I'm a single and my income was
21,000 last year. How is it possible that I was denied!? So I am in the process of writing this appeal but what documents should I provide and how should I write this letter? Any advice would be appreciated!

Tom Joad · Post by **Tom Joad** » Fri May 18, 2012 10:49 am

You probably made more money last year than 80% of law school applicants. Everybody is applying to law school because they have no job or are tired of their terrible job.

ETA: Source for 80% figure: my behind.

cinephile · Post by **cinephile** » Fri May 18, 2012 11:18 am

Unfortunately, you're unlikely to get the fee waiver. I applied at 25, was not claimed as a dependent, and made half of what you did last year. I was denied. My friends in masters programs who didn't earn anything at all got the fee waiver.

CanadianWolf · Post by **CanadianWolf** » Fri May 18, 2012 11:22 am

Unfortunately, a single applicant making $21,000 per year without substantial medical or dependent deductions probably doesn't qualify for fee waivers. Contact LSAC & ask for their financial guidelines regarding fee waivers. Nevertheless, individual law schools can grant application fee waivers for their law school.

R86 · Post by **R86** » Fri May 18, 2012 12:10 pm

Sent you a PM.

Jchan · Post by **Jchan** » Thu May 24, 2012 2:38 am

I know. It is ridiculous. Im trying to write an appeal now and dont know how to do it either. Gluck and lmk if u or anyone else know how to plz!

futurejdgirl · Post by **futurejdgirl** » Thu May 24, 2012 4:38 am

I got a fee waiver based on my parents income as well as other issues that I detailed specifically in my letter - parents filed bankruptcy some years ago, father is unemployed, mom only makes around 1600/month, medical bills. ANY unusual/extreme/unfortunate circumstance - mention it.

R86 · Post by **R86** » Thu May 24, 2012 12:02 pm

Jchan wrote:I know. It is ridiculous. Im trying to write an appeal now and dont know how to do it either. Gluck and lmk if u or anyone else know how to plz!

Sent you a PM.

futurejdgirl · Post by **futurejdgirl** » Thu May 24, 2012 3:55 pm

Another piece of advice - overwhelm them with documentation of your financial circumstances. Do not hesitate to send too much..bank statements, medical bills, etc. I think that's what got my appeal approved.

R86 · Post by **R86** » Thu May 24, 2012 4:39 pm

Great advice.

People on this forum are incredible negative and bitter about the fee waiver proccess. While it does seem like LSAC is quick to deny people, some of whom genuinely do need a waiver, they also grant a lot every year. I was initially denied but approved upon appeal. Like futurejdgirl said, I would send as much as possible - a bank statement proving that you have very little cash at hand, student loan statements, medical bills, old tax returns - anything that could help hammer in your point.

I also wrote a letter that said, basically, I know there are a lot of people out there struggling more than I am, but that my parents and I truly are in an incredibly difficult financial situation and if you granted me a fee waiver I would appreciate it beyond words and use it, to the best of my ability, to accomplish my dream of going to law school.

All I've got is my single, very personal experience to go by, but it leads me to believe that a heartfelt appeal letter, backed up by as much evidence of financial need/hardship you can manage, can work.

R86 · Post by **R86** » Thu May 24, 2012 11:56 pm

Skunt wrote:Tell them you're black that'll work

Skunt wrote:Forging my professor's signature on my LORs

Haven't been caught yet thank God

Obvious troll after two posts is obvious...

Cventura0603 · Post by **Cventura0603** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 9:45 pm

I just wanted to inform everyone that I was approved for the fee waiver, so IT IS POSSIBLE!!!!! TRY TRY TRY!

Cventura0603 · Post by **Cventura0603** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 9:47 pm

R86 wrote:Sent you a PM.

I just wanted to thank you for guiding me in the fee waiver process. Your awesome!

NewYorkL · Post by **NewYorkL** » Fri Jun 08, 2012 4:28 pm

I think I can make a compelling case for a requesting a fee waiver. If anyone could help me out, I would greatly appreciate it.

tc22 · Post by **tc22** » Fri Jun 08, 2012 6:59 pm

futurejdgirl wrote:I got a fee waiver based on my parents income as well as other issues that I detailed specifically in my letter - parents filed bankruptcy some years ago, father is unemployed, mom only makes around 1600/month, medical bills. ANY unusual/extreme/unfortunate circumstance - mention it.

This.

I also got a fee waiver for pretty much the exact same situation, except both parents got laid off and had to file for bankruptcy. I originally got denied because the tax forms they requested from my parents were from when my dad was still making aroun $100K. I was making around $22,000/year at the time. I was very detailed in my letter including what my current bills where (i.e. rent in a city where the cost of living is ridiculous, high student loan payments, insurance, etc...). I listed the calculations of how much I was making per month after taxes minus all my bills and how with such little disposable income I would be unable to afford the application fees. I think I included documentation of my parents' current lack of income, bankruptcy court filings, as well as the lay-off letters for both my parents.

R86 · Post by **R86** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 11:48 am

Cventura0603 wrote:
R86 wrote:Sent you a PM.
I just wanted to thank you for guiding me in the fee waiver process. Your awesome!

No problem. Glad I was able to help.

rechtsanwalt12 · Post by **rechtsanwalt12** » Wed Jun 27, 2012 12:38 am

Something you should all keep in mind (going through this myself right now).

After you submit your fee waiver request, your LSAC account may be put on hold if you are conditionally approved for the waiver. This means NO LSAT score updates until the approval is final once you send in documents. Really regret doing this the week before June scores are released...

Update: I faxed LSAC lots of documents and an appeal and I was approved within about 6 hours. It really works!

R86 · Post by **R86** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 10:59 am

rechtsanwalt12 wrote:Something you should all keep in mind (going through this myself right now).

After you submit your fee waiver request, your LSAC account may be put on hold if you are conditionally approved for the waiver. This means NO LSAT score updates until the approval is final once you send in documents. Really regret doing this the week before June scores are released...

Update: I faxed LSAC lots of documents and an appeal and I was approved within about 6 hours. It really works!

Nice! Hope you get the score you're looking for.

nrp08 · Post by **nrp08** » Tue Oct 09, 2012 8:46 am

I am currently going through writing my appeals letter can anyone help please?!?

R86 · Post by **R86** » Tue Oct 09, 2012 10:36 am

nrp08 wrote:I am currently going through writing my appeals letter can anyone help please?!?

PMed

memphislawstudent · Post by **memphislawstudent** » Wed Mar 14, 2018 12:17 am

PLEASEEEEE help me I am in the process of trying to submit my fee waiver please anyone!

sfirsov1972 · Post by **sfirsov1972** » Mon Apr 29, 2019 2:29 pm

in same court 4 judges approved my fee waiver form, but 1 judge denied. How to appeal?

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