<p>I have a somewhat unusual situation. My parents are divorced and I live with my mom, my father contributes nothing to my education. I am just finishing my second year of college but have changed majors which means I will be there for 5 years instead of 4. The problem is my mother technically makes too much money for me to qualify for any financial aid or most scholarships because almost all the ones I can find are need bases...my EFC is about $14,000 and all the "financial aid" I have currently is in stafford loans. Even though on paper she has a lot of money in reality we don't due to debt and she is filing for bankruptcy which means she will not be able to get any more PLUS loans to help me out and there will be no money coming to me from her. In addition to this mess I was an authoroized user on some of her credit cards and the companies refuse to take me off so my credit will also be trashed by her bankruptcy which means no more loans for me. I used to be deans list but have struggled with classes this past year (reason I am changing major) and now have a 2.79. I am also now a political science and philosophy double major. I'm afraid I wont be able to attend school next semester because there's just no way to pay for it. I was wondering if anyone knew of any weird scholarships I might qualify for or any kind of loans or something that someone in my situation might be able to obtain. Thanks.</p>
<p>Does your mother have an attorney for her bankruptcy proceedings? She should see what can be done where you are co user. If you are were just added on as co user it is possible that you cannot be made responsible. The attorney needs to address this situation. As for her bankruptcy, it is favorable in terms of her ability to pay some of your college costs since she will not have to pay those debts. If she makes too much money for you to qualify for financial aid and she will now no longer have those debts to pay, that is more money for college. You may not have to take out as many loans since her income will be available to pay without those debts looming in front of her. Families with huge debts have problems with making college payments since FAFSA does not take into account debts except for a home mortgage, and if you have to make heavy payments, there is no money for college and you can't take out any more loans. The payments will be done, the money can now go for your college expenses.</p>
<p>I appealed to a financial aid office this year using bankruptcy papers and i was told that they would not reconsider based on that but rather against other schools offers for financial aid.
Contact the financial aid office for your school and talk it over with them, maybe they will reconsider?</p>