<p>I am a first year at UCLA, living on campus. My dad recently lost his job, which drops our family's income from $11000 annually to $44000 annually. I was wondering about financial aid for next year. I know that I can check the "dislocated worker" box on the FAFSA to signify that he was laid off, but considering that the FAFSA asks for information from last year's income, will I still qualify for financial aid aside from loans? Does anyone know if UCLA is willing to look at special circumstances or does anyone have experience in sealing with this same thing at UCLA or another UC? Thanks.</p>
<p>The dislocated worker question is only relevant if your parents’ AGI for 2010 will be below $50,000 (for eligibility for the simplified needs test) or below $31,000 (for the automatic 0 EFC). Otherwise it has no effect on your EFC.</p>
<p>You will need to file your FAFSA and then go talk to the school. Most schools will not immediately make a special circumstances adjustment for loss of employment as they have no way of knowing how long lived the situation will be. They are the only ones who can tell you at what point they will be willing to make an adjustment. The best thing to do is contact them and ask them.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>you’re going to have to talk to UCLA about your issue.</p>
<p>Most schools will not consider any adjustments when parents have only recently lost their jobs because there is an assumption that a new job will be found somewhat soon.</p>
<p>Since your dad lost his job at the end of 2010, that means that your 2010 income will still be high. I don’t know if adjustments can be made that would be significant enough for you to get the kind of aid that UCs give…which is mostly Pell, Cal Grants, and Blue and Gold. You’re not going to qualify for Pell and I don’t think you’ll qualify for Blue and Gold or Cal Grants…so the UCs may not have much else to give you. </p>
<p>While your dad looks for other employment, you may have to explore other means for your education. You may need to request some time off from the school.</p>
<p>I just realized that maybe I don’t understand your question. Are you asking about aid for the next 2 quarters of your freshman year? or are you asking about aid for your sophomore year?</p>
<p>How are your parents going to pay for the next 2 quarters of school?</p>
<p>I have winter quarter covered, and I should be able to squeak through spring. I was actually talking about my next year of school, which would be my second year. Considering that my income next year is going to be VERY MUCH LOWER than this years, and that my dad is almost 60 and is thus unlikely to find employment, I was hoping that the school would give us aid. I was wondering if I would be likely to qualify for Blue & Gold next year.</p>
<p>You won’t qualify for Blue and Gold since that is purely by income and your income for 2010 will be too high. I don’t believe that there are adjustments for blue and gold…it’s purely income driven. Your income for 2010 is too high. </p>
<p>You need to have a Plan B in your back pocket. You may need to go to a CC next year. And then return to UCLA for junior and senior year when your 2011 and 2012 incomes will be low.</p>
<p>Just because your dad is almost 60 does not mean that he will no longer have an income. Unless your parents have a good amount of savings, I doubt that your family can afford to have your dad no longer working (for income and for future retirement). It’s very hard for a family to go from $110k to $40k and be fine with that. Don’t your parents NEED for your dad to bring in an income to help pay the household bills and home mortgage?</p>
<p>I don’t see how this relates to the topic at hand, but we are living in a house that my grandparents own and is thus rent-free, and my mom and dad’s salaries went towards other respective bills. Again, this is really a personal family matter and how my family will be adjusting to living on a lower salary does not relate to my question.</p>
<p>Anyway, are you certain that UCLA will not consider that the 2011 income will be lower than 2010’s was? After all, you pay for college with the money made that year, not the previous year, generally speaking. Are you advising from experience with the UC system personally or are you speaking from knowledge obtained elsewhere? I appreciate your feedback.</p>