<p>I filed my FAFSA for the fall semester but due to family issues, I couldn't enroll and I will be missing my fall semester. I'm worried about how I'm going to pay for college because believe me we can't afford it even if it is a community college. Would it be worth filing another FAFSA for spring? Or should I simply hold out until next fall? No one ever explained how federal student aid worked. So I am not sure if there would even be any aid available to me for spring. I was declared homeless by my school's liaison but now I'm out of the shelter and while it is not my family's house. I don't know if I still qualify for full aid. Any guidance or information would be greatly appreciated. </p>
<p>The FAFSA you filed for the 2014-2015 school year includes the spring term. BUT that does not mean that your financial aid will be exactly the same. You would still get the Firect a loan amount, and half of the Pell for the second semester. However, other awards like work study and SEOG might not be available as a spring admit.</p>
<p>If you are independent, you would get $9500 in Direct Loans, and $5730 of Pell (if eligible for the full Pell) for the full year.</p>
<p>For spring, I believe you can still take the full $9500 Direct Loan and you would get half the Pell. That should not be affected at all.</p>
<p>You need to talk to YOUR college about this situation. Explain the family issue, and ask them how this will affect any additional aid if you defer until spring. </p>
<p>As Thumper says, you need to talk to YOUR college financial aid office and find out what they will do with your aid. The PELL is an entitlement as is the Direct loan, and, yes, you can get the full amount of the Direct Loan for the second semester if you don’t go the first semester, but not so with PELL and most other aid. But your school might pull the full amount of some of the aid you got if you don’t show up in the fall if you don’t talk directly with the fin aid officer and get it setup otherwise.</p>
<p>BEWARE of getting the full Stafford amount for the second semester. This could mislead you into thinking a school is affordable but really isn’t once the following year the loan is split amongst two semesters. </p>
<p>seriously, to have the chance at the best aid, apply for Fall 2015…</p>
<p>Thank you all for your answers. I’ll be setting up an appointment with my adviser immediately </p>