<p>Can a current student appeal a financial aid award? We're still short about 10% of the money needed. Student will need aid next year as well. Have three in college at the same time.</p>
<p>Well…what school is this? Is this a school that meets need? </p>
<p>Is this child an incoming freshman? </p>
<p>Are your child’s stats high for the school?</p>
<p>Do you have any unusual circumstance (besides having other kids in school which they already know about).</p>
<p>Are the siblings undergrads? Or are any in grad school?</p>
<p>siblings are undergrads as well - one is a sophomore, the other a junior as is this student I’m a single parent whose income has decreased significantly. I am also disabled. I don’t want to be greedy but I don’t know where the money’s coming from. Child is doing extremely well at their present school.</p>
<p>Is this a full-need school?</p>
<p>Does your child have $7500 loans in his/her FA package?</p>
<p>What is the EFC for this child?</p>
<p>Does the child work full time over the summer?</p>
<p>Are the other children’s need getting met?</p>
<p>not sure if it’s a “full-need school”
yes, $7500 is in their need package
EFC is $8500
yes they work full time over the summer
other children are not need getting met
work study was also included in the aid package</p>
<p>So, your total EFC per for all three kids is over $25K and you’re single and disabled? I’m just curious as to what the source of the EFC is…income or high assets? It seems unusually high for someone in your situation and I’m wondering if their FAFSAs were verified by any of the schools involved. If the disability/change in income was recent, it may be worth requesting a special circumstance adjustment.</p>
<p>I agree that a special circumstance adjustment request may be in order. While there probably isn’t much in the way of institutional money left (if any) for the current year … if they can get into Pell range that would be a bonus. The students might also qualify for ACG/SMART if they end up with Pell.</p>
<p>Does the EFC include the amount they would take out for Stafford loans? No way can I afford $25K. How can they get into the Pell range? This student is a math major.</p>
<p>It depends on the school…most use Staffords to meet need, not EFC, but some students have little need to due other scholarships and grants. I only asked about the $25K because you said your EFC for the one child was $8500 and EFC is normally divided (roughly) among all of the college students in the household…so I assumed they each had an EFC of over $8K. Are you saying that only this one has an EFC that high? If so, do you know why that is?</p>
<p>You will want to document carefully (or at least offer to document). So, rather than saying “we have had high home repair bills”, one says “We have had to spend $8000 on a roof and we can supply a receipt for your review.” </p>
<p>For “a disability” one wants to be specific to show how that limits income. In general, fin aid are most responsive when one provides ample details and proof (offer to send medical records, etc). One doesn’t need to pour out pages of woe – just facts that are well supported by documentation.</p>
<p>So back to my original question - what is the likelihood of getting more aid for this year at this point? Student lives off campus so those expenses were not included with the original documentation, at least the bill from the school only includes expenses for tuition, fees and the meal plan.</p>
<p>^^^
You need to contact the school and talk about the housing issue.</p>
<p>But, can you answer the other questions, because perhaps an error has been made on FAFSA.</p>
<p>Did you include that there will be 3 kids in college when you filed each child’s FAFSA? Did you do FAFSA 3 times? (one for each child and mention that there are 3 in college)?</p>
<p>If so, did each child’s EFC come out to be about $8k? If so, that would mean that if you only had ONE child in college, that child’s EFC would be about $24k? Does that sound right? Do you have the income/assets to have an EFC of about $24k? If not, then there is a mistake somewhere.</p>
<p>The other costs would not be included in the bill, but should be included in the student’s budget/COA. If you look on the school’s website, or even on College Board’s page for that school, there is likely a separate COA for students living off campus. As to how likely it is that your child will receive additional grant aid, no one here can answer as that depends on the school. Many schools have no additional grant money left at this point. But they may be able to offer him an additional Perkins or campus-based loan or bump his work study award if other students have declined what they were offered. Your student really needs to visit or email the FA office and discuss it with them.</p>
<p>So back to my original question - what is the likelihood of getting more aid for this year at this point? Student lives off campus so those expenses were not included with the original documentation, at least the bill from the school only includes expenses for tuition, fees and the meal plan.</p>
<p>So it sounds like the student is at least a sophomore?
When the income/circumstances change significantly from when the financial aid package for the next year is presented/accepted, you can submit a request for reevaluation.
At a school that doesn’t meet 100% of need, they may not attempt to do so- I would find that out ASAP.
But for instance, at my older daughters school, when our income changed, they increased the grant, as she was already taking out the maximum Stafford loan, as well as a small Perkins loan & work study.</p>
<p>Cost of housing is usually considered whether or not they are living on campus- but it isn’t as transparent, however- I have seen cost savings from living off campus- although it is more difficult to participate in on campus activities.</p>
<p>this is how one school determines need- which is probably a good representation of most other schools.
[How</a> Your Financial Need Is Determined | Student Resource Center/Financial Aid | Drexel University](<a href=“Financial Aid | Drexel Central”>Financial Aid | Drexel Central)</p>
<p>The OP either has a high income or high assets to have such a high EFC with three kids in college. Or filled out the FAFSA wrong.</p>
<p>You can always appeal for more financial aid or scholarships. It might not work, but you can always ask.</p>