<p>So my familys estimated EZfC is $25000, but most of this is paid because of the health problems in my family. One of my family members has dealt with fibromyalgia, needing almost daily medical payments (that are very expensive) and attending doctors multiple tomes per week. With the multiple health problems that cone with fibromyalgia, and the effects of a couple of my family members dealing with celiac disease, most of the income for my family is used for paying for the bills that are necessary for treatment.</p>
<p>With this in mind, my EFC is not representative of how much my family can REALLY pay for college, so I need to find a way to tell this to colleges, so that I will receive the right amount of financial aid fir my family. I know that it is tough to completely show these problems through official financial aid documents. I was thinking that a letter highlighting these health issues and financial aid being sent to each college that Ivam applying to would be a great idea.</p>
<p>SO is a letter to the colleges the best idea? If not, what is the BEST way to show health problems and finanicaI aid so that my family will receive the right amount of financial aid?, THANKS for the help!!!!</p>
<p>You’ll need to wait until you are accepted and then ask for a special circumstance review. You then send them the related bills and make your case. The generous colleges that meet full need will most likely work with you, others may not.</p>
<p>With this in mind, my EFC is not representative of how much my family can REALLY pay for college, so I need to find a way to tell this to colleges, so that I will receive the right amount of financial aid fir my family.</p>
<p>For many colleges, it won’t really matter what an adjusted EFC might be. Most colleges don’t have a lot of aid to give.</p>
<p>Don’t wait until you’re accepted to figure this all out. you may find out that you’ve applied to the wrong schools (schools that don’t have much to give.)</p>
<p>What schools are you applying to?</p>
<p>Are you a citizen or green card resident?</p>
<p>What state are you in?</p>
<p>For schools that will take this under consideration, you will have to show documentation of medical costs that were not covered by insurance. Then, only a certain amount of that total will be considered. ** You can’t just submit a letter. You have to show proof of high medical costs that weren’t covered by insurance.**</p>
<p>How much does your family spend on medical costs each year that is not covered by insurance? Can you show proof of this?</p>
<p>I see that you’re looking at out of state publics like UMaryland. Most OOS publics aren’t going to give you need-based aid to cover their high OOS costs.</p>
<p>State schools don’t have much money to give, so they reserve their aid for their instate students. </p>
<p>*Here are my stats:
SAT: 1860 (630 Writing, 610 Math, 620 Critical Reading)
3.5 GPA (Out of 4.0) *</p>
<p>There is a part of the EFC formula that is called the income protection allowance. Within the IPA, there is a certain percentage for medical expenses. If documented medical expenses exceed the IPA medical percentage, the amount that exceeds “can” be deducted from income thus lowering the EFC. I say “can” because financial aid offices are not required to make this adjustment. If they do make the adjustment, it is made only with detailed documentation that must be kept in the student’s file for audit purposes. Obviously, this requires a formal review by each school.</p>
<p>Notice that the EFC is not reduced by the medical expenses. The income is lowered, which does not reduce the EFC dollar for dollar. Many families with higher incomes may find that even medical expenses exceeding the IPA do not bring their EFC down enough to make a difference in their aid. That said, it is worth a try (just do not assume it will result in more aid).</p>