<p>S2, a high school senior, had applied and been accepted at several colleges, is awaiting word from 1 more. S1, a college junior was diagnosed in late January with an agressive form of cancer and was withdrawn from school and moved home. He is now in week 3 of chemo traveling back and forth 3 hours from home for intensive treatment that will last for at least the next 6 months followed by 2 years of less intense chemo.
Financial aid apps, FAFSA, CSS etc. were completed for S2, but, of course were based on 2007 when cancer treatment was not on the radar. Called and was told to send letter and documentation to FA offices as soon as possible (and definitely by the end of next week) for additional consideration. There is very little financial information/documentation yet as bills are just starting to come in. We can, of course get doctors to document the diagnosis and treatment plan.
I would greatly appreciate suggestions on what to include in the letter and what to use as documentation, especially from anyone who has been through a similar situation or who has Financial Aid experience. Thanks!</p>
<p>I am very sorry to hear about the situation that your family is in. I don't think that anything is more painful than having a child with a life-threatening illness.</p>
<p>Perhaps the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which provides free telephone counseling to cancer survivors and their families can help you. They likely know of other families who have been in your situation. They also have much information that could be useful to your son who has cancer.</p>
<p>I too am sorry to hear your son and family is going through this and wish you the best outcome. I imagine your medical costs will add up and you may even possibly need to provide support to your son, taking a family and medical leave from your job--which would also impact finances and fin aid eligibility. I have contacted fin aid offices re heart disease and upcoming surgery. They want to see documentation so something from your son's doctor would probably serve that purpose for now. Different schools handle differently but I was told by a couple that as bills come in you can submit them and receive a corrected fin aid award retroactively. Feel free to pm me if you want to talk further...and prayers to your family...</p>
<p>I am so very sorry to hear about your son's illness and will keep him and your family in my thoughts. </p>
<p>We have had a special circumstances adjustment done for medical costs but it was different as the expenses were incurred in the base year so we already had S figures. In our case we provided documentation of every dollar unreimbursed which ended up being about an inch thick stack of papers. While the major medical expense was for my husband we also included all medical expenses (prescriptions/dentist/after tax medical insurance premiums)as they all contributed to the large medical costs for the year. </p>
<p>All I could think of is to try and get the best estimates from your doctors of what the treatment costs will be and what the insurance will cover. And don't be afraid to ask the school what you need to provide.</p>