<p>Speedo, If they are asking for the purpose of federal funds, then there are restrictions and guidelines that cover what they can ask for. If it is institutional funds, then there are no restrictions. It is the school’s money and they can require any type of documentation they want to justify why they should give away their money to someone.</p>
<p>Kelsmom,</p>
<p>I feel for you…whole-heartedly. I always recommend a financial aid applicant spend some time as a work-study in FA Offices so they can understand the process from the inside. If only students and parents understood the scrutiny that FA Adminstrators were under and the personal liability we face for incorrectly awarding federal aid, maybe then our jobs would be a tad bit easier.</p>
<p>sike,</p>
<p>No Financial Aid Counselor likes to ask for additional documentation. We do not like to scour over tons and tons of additional forms, letters, etc. If we could get away with it, we would never request verification from anyone. Point of the matter is, though, we are under federal requirements to clear up ANY discrepancy that is reflected in the FAFSA. Failing to do so can result in a super huge fine for the school AND a large fine and/or jail time assigned to the counselor by the federal government.</p>
<p>Financial Aid Offices are also the least funded office on ANY college campus. We are also the most overworked and underappreciated group on ANY college campus. We are usually the last department allowed to higher additional staff when enrollment increases…and that is overall enrollment, not just the number of aid applicants. </p>
<p>But 40,000 students and only 4 counselors sounds like an extreme exaggeration. There may be only 4 counsleors who physically meet with students but there are most likely many more who process the FA applications. Larger institutions have specialized counselors…ones who handle just the verification process, just loan certification, just award calculations, just Pell issues, just PJ requests, etc.</p>