<p>My EFC is around 10k but it's based off last year's taxes (when my mom had a job). Now she's out of work and I'm getting pretty crappy financial aid. Anything I can do to make the cost a bit lower? Mom is seriously stressing out now about how she's going to pay since there's no way she can afford it now.</p>
<p>Have you comitted to a college yet? I would contact your school(s’) financial aid department ASAP and let them know the situation.</p>
<p>Yes, I just committed tonight and she will be calling tomorrow.</p>
<p>Most schools will have an appeal form you will need to fill out and send in. Try looking at the financial aid website of the college.</p>
<p>Why did you commit tonight to a school you can now not afford? Makes no sense.</p>
<p>I don’t understand committing to a school where you want more consideration. What’s their motivation to give you more money? You’ve already said that you’re going there.</p>
<p>@mom2collegekids - I tried to appeal S’s award at two of the schools to which he was accepted and they would not accept appeals until mid-May, after students had committed. One said reviews were somethiing they did as a professional courtesy to their students - I took that to mean they only wanted to deal with committed students. OTOH, the school to which S committed (his second choice) has been very helpful in my situation. His EFC was slashed, some of his loans were changed to subsidized, and he received a small Pell grant. We’re waiting to see if he qualifies for the Academic Competitiveness Grant and some other help specific to our state …</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>Well, maybe I’m too cynical, but I wouldn’t expect much from a school that expects you to commit first and then they review. </p>
<p>Since they review after May 1st, I wonder what they would do if an uncommitted student had asked for a later commit date? Many schools will let you delay your commitment date to June 1st (or later).</p>
<p>Be prepared to document job loss and diminished earnings.</p>
<p>Do you have a college that can be afforded come August? If not, you could always see if you can deferr for a year and take your gen-ed classes at a CC while your mom job hunts if your current college cannot make any changes until next year. </p>
<p>^^Job loss is pretty darn easy to document, there is generally a separation agreement from the former company, the paperwork to file for unemployment, Cobra paperwork etc. The OPs mom will have everything needed.</p>
<p>Pyroza…</p>
<p>What are your other choices?</p>
<p>If this is a FAFSA only school, they may not have much institutional funds to help you anyway.</p>
<p>In footballmom’s case, the school just took another look at the numbers and doled out Federal money, not their own. That’s not what most here are looking for, they want more school grants and this is what’s hard to get. Most schools won’t budge much. Some of the wealthier schools might match other offers but the typical public or private geberally won’t move much.</p>
<p>As for the poster here, EFCs are based on the last year, not the current. Some of the wealthier schools may look at unemployment now but many schools won’t.</p>
<p>Think of this…some schools cannot reconsider financial aid until they know who IS accepting their packages and enrolling. The commitment date at many schools is May 1. Many of these schools will have uncommitted funds after that date because students do NOT choose their school. This money can then be dispersed to students who DID choose their schools…and this does happen. Seems to me they would support students who have committed to their school before doing so for students who have not done so…but that is just my opinion.</p>
<p>However, the OP should contact the school regarding the change in the family financial situation. OP…you don’t mention your dad…is he employed…is this a FAFSA only, or Profile too school? Does the school meet full need?</p>
<p>^ My dad died back when I was 11.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info guys. I should be able to afford the first year, but if there’s anything that can be done to ease the cost a bit it would be great.</p>
<p>I’m sorry to hear that your dad is deceased. I’m guessing that your social security will end when you turn 18, or has ended. </p>
<p>How long has your mom been unemployed? Has your mom’s SS increased once she became unemployed?</p>
<p>Was your EFC based on your Social security income? If so, I wonder if any of that can be adjusted since SS ends when a child turns 18 (doesn’t it??)</p>