<p>Have any of you received a need-based grant from your college already based on the info you gave on the CSS Profile? Is it possible for the college to readjust its "tentative offer of financial assistance" once I submit my FAFSA? Am I stuck with my $1200 grant aid per year?</p>
<p>And what did you get in terms of need-based grant aid (not merit scholarships)?
And what's your 'income status'?</p>
<p>And is it because my CSS Profile looked ridiculous? My mom rushed it without thinking it over much (we estimated all of it) and in the end there were waaay too zeroes... My family owns a small restaurant and my mom is unemployed... How'd we end up with only $1200 in grant aid when the average is like $9000+?!</p>
<p>Those averages are really meaningless as need based aid depends on each individual's income and assets. For instance if student A has a very low income and is given grant aid of $16,800 while you are given grant aid of $1200 then the average of the aid given to the 2 of you is $9,000 (his $16,800 plus your $1,200 = $18,000 . Divided by 2 the average is 9,000). But you are still only getting $1,200.</p>
<p>Having said that, it is important to be as accurate as possible when estimating information for financial aid forms. Now you have no way of knowing what your actual aid might be.</p>
<p>You will have to call the school to find out how to amend the Profile. They will tell you what to do and where to send it. Usually you have to print out the Profile and write in the corrections, and mail it to the school(s). </p>
<p>Is your finaid estimate for an ED acceptance? If so, you need to call the school ASAP and find out what to do, and IF they can make an adjustment based on changes quickly. They may say, no. Bottom line is what Swimcats said...you're supposed to be as accurate with your estimates as possible and check for errors before you submit.</p>
<p>If this is for a EA, RD or rolling admit, than you need to find out from the college when you could expect a finalized financial aid award based on your accurate figures. They will tell you this info. If the school says you should amend AFTER you complete your taxes (DO THIS FEBRUARY 1 or as close to that date as possible)...then do that and have the corrections reflect the accurate numbers on your 2008 taxes.</p>
<p>Some schools adjust estimated financial aid awards and some don't. DD received three early financial aid estimates. When the awards were finalized (after we finalized the FAFSA and PROFILE with correct tax return info), one school reduced her grant aid by $6000. The other two didn't touch the estimated award at all.</p>
<p>You should call --or if it makes more sense, as it often does-- have a parent call the FA office and discuss the aid award. My son's best friend got a pretty modest award with an ED decision last year because of some assets held by his parents. His mom called up the FA office and discussed thier circumstances in more depth and the college made a generous adjustment for him. Sometimes figures don't tell the whole story, and the colleges probaby err on the conservative side as far as grant aid goes within the parameters of their own FA policies.</p>
<p>So as thumper says, move on this quickly. They may well grant you another review, but whether they do or don't, it's important for you to get that information in a timely way. If it turns out you truly can't afford the school, then follow channels to be released from your ED agreement promptly so you can meet other application deadlines.</p>
<p>Rent-
Could you explain more what happened with your friend? I am in a similar situation and am desperately looking for things to do to help. Do they look and immediately change the package, or does it go to a vote? Was it a pretty good college?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Yes, it was an excellent, highly selective LAC. My son's friend's parents were both professionals and had a combined income that was rather high (between 150K-200K) and they owned two homes. Then one parent lost their job the year he was applying to colleges, plus they were renting out one of the homes but not getting in rent enough to service the loans on the house -- it was actually costing them something like $500/mo.</p>
<p>Anyway, his mom called up and discussed the job loss, the monthly net loss on the second the house (but why they could not sell it), and some unique expenses they dealt with in addition to some hefty medical bills... you know, like most families it was a complicated picture.</p>
<p>The college told his mother that they would take all the information into account and review the initial aid award. When they called her back (I think this whole process took less than a week), they had adjusted it so that it was do-able for the family. I'm not saying it isn't still expensive, because it is, but the new award made it at least manageable. My son's friend will be taking out loans, as well, to help pay for it, but the family decided the opportunity was worth the sacrifice.</p>
<p>It's certainly at the college's discretion as to whether they'll do a second review and adjust an award, but you can't know if you don't ask.</p>