<p>I lost my job in April of 2008. My FAFSA for 2009-10 was based on my 2008 taxes, that included that income. my EFC was $10,136. I make less than half of what I used to, but that will change when my UI runs out this month. My part time job pays nothing close to what I made full time. Can I appeal to FAFSA or my school Financial Aid Office to lower my EFC and be eligible for more financial aid?</p>
<p>You can call the financial aid office and see if there is anything they can do for you. They’re really the only ones who can tell you the definite answer. However, your EFC will not change this year. Next year though it will signficantly change.</p>
<p>yes, but some FA offices will not adjust your aid until August. They assume you may find a job between now and then.</p>
<p>Call the school immediately and ask when you can apply for special consideration. My husband has been out of work since May, 2008. Still, our FAFSA generated a high EFC for the 2009-2010 school year. With 3 children in college in the 2009-2010 school year, our expected contribution far exceeded the funds we have to meet living expenses. Two of the schools have accepted a special considerations appeal and reduced our EFC to zero which made PELL grants, ACG grants, SEOG grants and Perkins loans available. The third school will not consider special consideration appeals until later in the year. It took each school approximately 3 weeks to process the appeal.</p>
<p>If the school is large, it may well take more than 3 weeks to process your special circumstances request … but it may well be worth the wait. Gather your layoff notice, final paystub, unemployment income documentation, etc. Ask the school how they want you to proceed with your request.</p>