<p>Howdy,</p>
<p>I was looking over my finances and financial aid last year to help my wife and I plan for this year's finances when I noticed something on my 2008-2009 Financial Aid that didn't make sense. I just got off the phone with my financial aid office and I am still confused because they couldn't point me to any resources or verification.</p>
<p>Question: This school year I am a Junior. My Total limits for Stafford are $12,500, my total unsubsidized Stafford being $7,000. I also qualified for a Pell grant of $4,731, the full amount available I believe. I accepted the Pell Grant, the $5,500 Subsidized Stafford, and what I thought at the time was my full $7,000 Unsubsidized. However, it turns out the Unsubsidized was only for $5,099, not $7,000. When I called my Financial Aid office, it took them a while to come up with an answer, with the head person finally giving the answer that it's because I qualified for the Pell Grant and that reduced my total amount allowed for my Unsubsidized Stafford. I have never heard of this, as my understanding was that the Unsub Stafford is independent and the only limits on it are combined with the Subsidized Stafford, not with Pell grants also. The Financial Aid head person could not point me to anywhere to check this. </p>
<p>Does anyone know if the Financial Aid office is right? They seemed pretty unsure. If they are right, I would appreciate something to read on it. If they're wrong, I would also like to know what I can use for evidence to bring my petition before the Financial Aid office. I don't care either way if I didn't get the full money, except for I want things to be run right and explained right.</p>
<p>Thanks!!!</p>