<p>Hey, so basically I think the EFC that the FAFSA form gave me is a little skewed since it didn't account for the fact that my family does not own a house(thus equity), my mom doesn't have a retirement fund and our family is headed by a single parent. I've heard you can submit a special circumstances form to schools to let them recalculate your EFC, but does anybody know how to go about that? Where exactly do we submit a letter, or is it a form? I'm applying to all UCs, USC, NYU and Villanova. I'm mostly concerned about UCSB, Davis, SD, USC, and NYU if anyone has specific information on that. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>You would have to check out how schools deal with this on an individual basis. Call the financial aid office at each school and ask how one would ask for a review in order to get a special adjustment. There is no single thing or single process or single form that will apply. I don’t think you’ll get any traction with the not owning a home or not having retirement savings. The FAFSA will already have accounted for your mother’s single parent status since it will be using only her income and assets in its calculation. I am married, so of course the FAFSA takes into account both my and my husband’s income in calculating our children’s EFC and consequently the EFC is higher than it would be if it was just based on his or just based on mine.</p>
<p>There is no special circumstance here.</p>
<p>A special circumstances adjustment is made to reflect special or unusual circumstances that do not apply to the majority of people. There are strict rules for what a financial aid officer can adjust. These would be for things like high medical bills or loss of income or benefits. The fact that you do not own a home is not a special circumstance. The fact that your mom does not have a retirement account is not a special circumstance. Having or not having these assets does not affect the EFC one way or another and is not something that a special circumstances adjustment can be made for. Your family being headed by a single parent is not a special circumstance either. Her income is the only income reported on FAFSA.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I don’t see a “special circumstance” here at all. The FAFSA DOES account for your single parent household. You only listed ONE parent, not two…and only one parent’s assets. The FAFSA does NOT consider ANYONE’s home equity in their primary residence…or any other costs related to your primary residence. It doesn’t matter whether you are renting or paying a mortgage…the expenses for your primary residence do not matter. Balances IN retirement accounts are NOT counted on anyone’s FAFSA…BUT the contributions made to those accounts ARE added back in as income for the year. So…that is a wash too.</p>
<p>Your EFC per FAFSA was computed using your mom’s income for 2009 and any assets she has in bank accounts, CDs, savings, checking etc. And that is the same for ANYONE filing the FAFSA. You indicate on another thread that your EFC is $55,000, and that your mom is unemployed. If that is the case, and all of the assets are in HER name…you have a huge amount of assets as parental assets are assessed at 5.6% after an asset protection. Any assets held in your (the student’s) name are tapped at 20% so if money is in your name…that would also explain this.</p>
<p>Since your mom had NO earned income from last year, will she be able to file a 1040A or a 1040EZ…or does her unearned income (interest and dividends) require that she file a long form 1040?</p>
<p>At UCs you will qualify for free tuition under the Blue and Gold plan. You’ll be given loans and work study which should help a lot towards room and board. You will probably graduate with a high loan amount.</p>
<p>It’s late now, but you did not chose schools well for someone with your income. NYU will only give you money beyond the Federal, which is a drop in the bucket there, if you’re a top candidate. Even then they are unlikely to meet your need and make it possible for you to attend. Not sure about Nova, but I don’t think it’s a school that meets need either. Only USC does of the colleges on your list.</p>
<p>Someone with your income does best at schools that meet 100% of need and give generous aid, they are most likely to work with you.</p>
<p>hmom is right…</p>
<p>Of your schools…Only USC will meet need w/o loans…</p>
<p>NYU will not give you the aid you need. Their packages are bad.</p>
<p>What is the EFC? </p>
<p>How much can your mom contribute?</p>
<p>I’m concerned that you’ll have a gap in your FA package AND a gap in your EFC if it’s not affordable. </p>
<p>Do you live near any UC’s that you applied to?</p>
<p>You say your Mom is unemployed. Does she have income from other sources (such as dividend/interest income, a widowers pension etc)… What is her AGI on her tax return?</p>