<p>Do you think Rutgers (state college) could possibly give me some tuition money to help? If my dad had a job, he would have been making $7000 the past month towards the household income. I mean it has been tough since I am going to college and with the mortgage. It's just going to be a huge burden on them.</p>
<p>Your dad may be receiving unemployment or workmans comp-so income may be coming in.
They may have college savings for you set aside.
Ask your parents if they can cover college or if you need to defer for a year going to Rutgers until his income stabilizes.</p>
<p>First, get the straight story from your parents as to what they can/cannot afford with this new situation. If you have already committed to Rutgers, immediately call the FA office and ask what documentation they need to review your package. Basically, you want to appeal your present offer given the new financial circumstances and you want their help. You should probably enlist your parents’ help with the call and follow-up email (or whatever Rutgers requires.) Best wishes.</p>
<p>Rutgers may not give you any more money. If your dad normally earns that much, then your EFC (based on last year’s income) is too high. Is your mom employed?</p>
<p>Schools often wait awhile to adjust aid. They want to see if your dad gets hired again. And, he may have received severance pay. Frankly, I think even with an adjustment you won’t get much/anything.</p>
<p>If your parents can’t pay much for schooling, then you might want to ask if you can delay enrolling for year. Hopefully, your dad will find employment and they’ll be able to afford the costs.</p>
<p>Financial aid offices can adjust the EFC for “dislocated workers”, something that may apply in your situation. Do call and ask them. What it can do is make you possibly eligible for more federal aid. How much a college decides to pitch in with their own funds is entirely up to them. But talk to the fin aid officers and see what you can do about getting this designation and if it improves your aid picture enough to make it doable or easier for you.</p>