<p>One things you cannot forget to do. If you feel you have a special situation, even though it may not fall into the “special circumstances” definition, negotiating, er…excuse me, appealing, a financial aid award, can make a huge difference on the bottom line. Look, everybody’s situation is unique. Explaining your situation to the college can, and frequently will, have a positive result, even at CSS Profile schools. A lot of times these colleges hope that families will just take their offer and not ask for more, or explain their particular situation that could result in additional aid. Don’t fall into that trap.</p>
<p>Calreader, I’ll have to ask him for the details. He sat down for hours with one college they really wanted to work with and watched them disallow many things. My nephew is now a UC, FAFSA only student!</p>
<p>pbell, can you cite some sources for what you say? I’ve seen colleges match an offer from a peer school, but from everything I’ve read, expecting much through negotiating does not usually pan out. A recent Boston Globe story went inside financial aid at BU. The most anyone who appealed got was $2K.</p>
<p>And in my experience and from everything I’ve read on this site, even the best aid schools horrify business owners. There’s a reason the nickname for EFC is Every F****** Cent.</p>
<p>Hmom, that’s a sobering story from your brother.</p>
<p>I wonder if the proposed new FAFSA calculations will simplify life for business owners… that’s something to watch for.</p>
<p>Yes, but the big issue is that all of these accomplished kids want Profile schools, especially as so many state schools are really impacted by budget cuts. I feel so badly for my nephew, he was accepted at great school he had to turn down in the end.</p>
<p>This is why I really advise figuring this all out before applying, it’s so much less painful for the kids that way.</p>
<p>Agree on the figuring it out ahead. That’s what I’m trying to help with now…</p>
<p>Calreader, I sent you a PM></p>
<p>Make Kelsmom work for her pay. </p>
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<p>With what I make, it doesn’t take much work to equal my pay!</p>
<p>I wonder if the proposed new FAFSA calculations will simplify life for business owners… that’s something to watch for. </p>
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<p>From what I have seen of FAFSA-simplification proposals, they are focusing on AGI, number of deductions, taxes paid, type of tax form, number in household, and number in college. They don’t seem to care much about assets, because the focus seems to be simply on determining eligibility for Pell. I raised my hand at our financial aid conference when a proposal was presented to us - I stated my concern that it seems that anyone who is not “poor” is basically going to be shut out of any federal aid except unsub loans & work study. The presenter did not disagree.</p>
<p>Hello. I’m 30 years old and have never registered with the selective services. In fact, I never heard about the selective services until a few days ago when I applied for a pell grant. I spent the first 17 days of being 18 locked up for dumb juvenile mistakes and was then homeless until I was 19. How would I have heard about the SS? They never mentioned it in school and they sure didn’t mention it when I was locked up. What can I do?</p>
<p>Kelsmom, it has always seemed to me that federal grant dollars were mostly available to low-income families anyway. Wouldn’t the elimination of assets from the formula have the effect of adding a few more families who would not have been eligible before? Or does the new proposed formula also lower the maximum income that would allow people to qualify for Pells, etc?</p>
<p>I’m not sure any more families would be added, but it’s hard to say. The idea that sub loans might be eliminated bothered me. That’s not set in stone, of course - just one idea floating around. </p>
<p>As for the selective service question, you need to go to this link: [Selective</a> Service System: Registration Information](<a href=“http://www.sss.gov/Status.html]Selective”>http://www.sss.gov/Status.html). If you do not get a status letter that clears you for federal aid, you will not be allowed to receive it.</p>
<p>I hope they don’t eliminate sub loans either. My son will be through in the spring and my daughter is almost through, but I would certainly prefer her to have the option of unsub loans for that last year.</p>