<p>I just submitted my FAFSA and thats the number that came up.</p>
<p>This shocked me becuase last year my parents made good money however currently my mom took a 20k salary cut to find a new job and will unemployed again starting next week. My dad also has a large sum in the stock market and savings accounts but thats not for my college fund thats for their retirement. We also have a house mortgage to pay off and car payments.</p>
<p>I applied to UC's which are about 22K a year. Does this mean im not eligible to receive any financial aid?</p>
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Does this mean im not eligible to receive any financial aid?
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<p>Most likely, this is the case.</p>
<p>However, if you contact your school and tell them about your extenuating circumstances, the Financial Aid Office will usually reevaluate your EFC.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that consumer debt (mortgage, car payments) is not considered when calculating the EFC. In other words, if you have large amounts of debt the FAFSA calc does not care. It is assumed for the EFC that the money being spent to repay the debt could have been used for college. There is no advantage to debt for the EFC.</p>
<p>As far as the stock market and savings accounts go if they are not in a 401k or IRA type account then they are assumed to be able to be used for college. The fact that your parents consider this retirement money makes no difference.</p>
<p>It means that by FAFSA calculations your family is expected to be able to contribute $44,502 in 2009-2009 toward your education. So if your COA is 22K you will not be eligible for need based aid.</p>
<p>If your father's investments are in retirement accounts (IRAs, 401ks) then they are protected under the FAFSA formula. If the investments are in regular investment accounts just earmarked for retirement they are not protected.</p>
<p>House mortgage is not taken into account because the asset of the home is not taken into account. Car payments, credit cards etc are considered consumer debt and a choice and are not considered under FAFSA.</p>
<p>If your Mom is going to be out of work there is a possibility you could get a special circumstances adjustment for loss of income. But to be honest with an EFC of 44,000+ you would need an incredible drop in income to bring it down by more than 22,000 to where it would not exceed your COA.</p>