<p>I received an email that S4's FAFSA was modified. We made no changes, so I assume his school made them (this will be his 2nd year). When I checked it, the EFC went down about $2,000 which is good, I think. Has anyone else had this happen to them? If so, was there a change to the financial aid package originally offered?</p>
<p>Whether or not the aid package will change in a way that is helpful depends on the EFC & the school’s aid policies. If you get a better Pell grant, that is helpful. If you don’t get a Pell grant, but you get institutional grants, maybe you’ll get more (maybe not, though). It’s possible you might get more subsidized loan, less unsubsidized. It’s also possible all you’ll get is … nothing. If you can post the original package, we might be able to offer a best-guess, but that’s all it would be.</p>
<p>I think that colleges will often make a change resulting in reduced EFC if that will qualify the student for a Pell grant (or an increased grant) – since that is money that benefits the student but the college doesn’t have to spend. They will go over tax returns and financials carefully for areas where they can exercise professional judgment to make changes. </p>
<p>My d. qualified for Pell grants for two out of the four years she was in college. My experience was that the financial aid department worked hard to maximize her aid eligibility in the years where she qualified for the federal grants – and were far more conservative, looking to minimize aid eligibility, in the years when she didn’t.</p>
<p>Mine went up, but I was sure it was.</p>
<p>I filled out my FAFSA but was unsure how to do so. My dad died in Nov, worked until Sept, but was told his tax info shouldn’t be used on the FAFSA. Then there was social security, which was a nightmare to figure out. Sadly, my EFC went from 5k to 12k.</p>
<p>Our FAFSA was changed by a school last year based on submission of “special circumstances” paperwork. Had no idea they actually adjusted your FAFSA until received email saying FAFSA correction received. Called FAFSA to see what prompted change. Was honestly shocked that college could change our FAFSA rather than just offer additional aid.</p>
<p>Greetings!!!</p>
<p>I’m new in this forum and writing from Puerto Rico island. </p>
<p>I recently filed a FAFSA for my daughter Rossy(1st year college.) Another son, Chris, was also filed for a 2nd year college to a different university, without problems since 2009. I made some corrections on both applications. I did’nt include SS benefits because in Chris; an economic aid official told me, it was not neccesary. Based in this information I did not include the SS Benefits in none. Finally we got an EFC in 0* in both, which means a verification. I went to Chris university and they tod me to wait for an appointment and that the only document they’ll require, will be the income tax return(from Puerto Rico) and also repeated me, that they don’nt ask for social security benefits.</p>
<p>But the University that applied for Rossy, the best in Puerto Rico(closed because is in strike right now) could work different cause is a public one. I think that they will ask for this income and I am really worried about not been included it (2009 and 2010) and getting in problems. Can somebody counsel me what to expect and what to do? I am very stressful all this time, at the point that I have lost my appetite and sleep cause I don’t know what will result from this.
Thank you for your help and blessings to you all.</p>
<p>Angelfire</p>
<p>Social security benefits are not reported on the FAFSA. The school may request documentation during verification if they want documentation of how the family was able to support itself on low or no income - but the money will not be included in the EFC formula.</p>
<p>The Mom … sorry, but colleges don’t just give extra aid because they are nice. They review the family’s situation & decide if elements of the EFC formula should be adjusted based on the documentation provided. If they determine that those elements should be adjusted, they make the adjustments on the FAFSA. The EFC is then re-computed accordingly.</p>
<p>We ran into this last year. One school made adjustments before our D’s eventual school had even reviewed and awarded her package. I was shocked to learn I had so much available to contribute- had to have a serious talk with H about where he was hiding all the money.</p>