<p>I am currently a freshman at an Ivy. I am a US citizen but didn't apply for aid as an incoming freshman because at the time it wasn't a big deal. However, my family's financial situation has taken a turn for the worse, and we will be NEEDING some sort of aid for soph, junior and senior year. I reached out to my school's aid office but they said that since I didn't apply for aid as an incoming freshman, I am not eligible for aid for the rest of my time here.</p>
<p>I've been browsing some related threads and someone on CC said that I should still be eligible for FEDERAL aid, but not INSTITUTIONAL aid...any merit to this statement? It makes logical sense that the school might have authority to say I'm not eligible for institutional/private aid, but they shouldn't have a say in whether I'm eligible for aid from the federal government.</p>
<p>Related thread: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/625660-important-can-i-apply-financial-aid-sophomore-year.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/625660-important-can-i-apply-financial-aid-sophomore-year.html</a></p>
<p>Comments/Suggestions?</p>
<p>That is true. You can file for FAFSA which will allow you to get a Stafford loan ($5.5K for a freshman, $6.5K for a sophomore).</p>
<p>What about federal grants? Shouldn’t I still be eligible for a Pell Grant, etc.?</p>
<p>Pell Grant is an entitlement for anyone but your EFC would have to be <~$5.5K and is limited to $5.5K.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help. Would it be possible to request retroactive financial aid? E.g. It’s currently Jan 2012, but could I submit a FAFSA to get aid for the 2011-12 academic year? Someone in the thread I linked above said this is possible:</p>
<p>“You can always fill out the FAFSA. You can even, at this moment, fill out the 2008-09 FAFSA and see if you qualify for aid for the semester that started in Sept. 2008.” [Post date: Jan 09]</p>
<p>If you need aid for the spring term, yes you can file the 2011-2012 FAFSA which should give you access to the Stafford loans. But as a freshman that is only $5,500.</p>
<p>How much money do you need now, and how much do you expect that you will need in the future? If your university will not consider you for financial aid, and all you are eligible for turns out to be Stafford loans, where exactly are you going to get the other $50,000 or so each year?</p>
<p>You may be better off to take a leave of absence this semester, stay home, and take a crack at applying elsewhere as a transfer student. Some colleges and universities will allow you to apply as a freshman if you have completed fewer than 30 semester hours of courses. If you were good enough to get into an Ivy, you would have been good enough to get serious merit money from lower level institutions. Look around, and you may find some that are still ready, willing, and able to provide the financial aid that you now know that you need.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>