<p>So, according to my UCD financial aid form, they expect my parents to pay 12,000 of the total cost of attendance.</p>
<p>I am getting 9,000 in grants, and a 500 dollar direct subsidized loan.</p>
<p>I am trying to get additional aid because my parents cannot cover this amount. </p>
<p>1)Am I able to request more loan money than has been offered, or is it that the final amount on the table per se?</p>
<p>2) If I am not able to qualify for additional direct loan funds, would I be able to apply for a Stafford loan, or are these programs on in the same? </p>
<p>...basically i'm trying to figure out if I can request additional federal money outside of the PLUS program or if am sentenced to the offer they have given me on my e-fan.</p>
<p>My kids both have "direct loans". They ARE their Stafford loans. I believe these are the same thing...perhaps someone else can clarify.</p>
<p>Seems like you could ask if you qualify for an unsubsidized Stafford loan. It would net you about $3000 in additional loans if you do (max Stafford for freshman year is about $3500...I believe).</p>
<p>I would speak to someone at the FA Office because it seems, by the minimual information you have provided, that you were not awarded the total amount in Stafford Loans that you should qualify for. Freshman should be (in most cases) eligible for $5,500 in Stafford Loans. (A maximum of $3500 in sub if you qualify for need-based aid and an additional $2000 in unsub loans.) By only being offered $500 it seems that something else may be going on. The only way to figure that out is by speaking with them directly.</p>