<p>*My D’s FA officer has indicated that the only aid we should anticipate is loans, i.e. Stafford, Parent Plus… Would mentioning declining home value and rising taxes help? *</p>
<p>If the FA officer told your D this, then this suggests (to me) that this isn’t a school that has a lot of institutional aid to give…or, it may suggest that your D’s stats are not high enough for the school to direct its few funds towards your D. Unfortunately, that is true for schools with limited aid to give; they give more aid to targeted students. </p>
<p>What school is this? Is it public or private?</p>
<p>Mentioning high taxes and declining house values isn’t likely going to make much difference because everyone faces that issue.</p>
<p>What about your D’s other schools? ARe they more affordable? Did she apply to any financial safety schools? you mentioned having another child going to college soon. You do need to consider that. You probably don’t want to borrow for the first, and then not be able to borrow for the second.</p>