I recently had a post about student loans where i detailed my EFC, how much was given to me by my CHEAPEST option for school and how much I am expecting to take out in loans. Someone responded by saying I could most likely get more from the school if I were to ask. Here is an excerpt from that response:
“Email your admission rep…and ask whether they might be able to reassess your financial aid package because your EFC is $1340 and the amount you have to pay is causing difficulties for your family”
I was going to respond and ask how I should go about asking for more aid, whether there is a specific appeals process or if its just as simple as calling and asking (obviously i expect a lengthy and detailed conversation), but then I though that the topic deserved its own discussion. So here we are. Fire away!
Also the school I am referring to is the University of Connecticut.
For further information I received a pell grant of 4,465 and a university grant of 8,500. I would assume that the response was referring to asking to for more from the university grant.
That’s a good assumption. The Pell grant amount is set by formula and there is no discretion. The numbers are what they are.
I think it’s a bit optimistic to say you could “most likely” get more money if you ask. Now, you won’t get any more if you don’t ask, but it’s impossible to predict as it depends on the school (some have some flexibility, others what you see is what you get), your particular situation, and how much that school wants you to enroll. Very politely contact the school, express how much you want to be a student there, explain your situation and see what happens.
^^ Except the Pell grant can be increased by Professional Judgment if the student has some special circumstances, and the scool can award SEOG, more work study money, Perkins loans, all ased on the fafsa.
HAve your number ready, this is how much you received, this is how much your can contribute from summer earnings, this is how much you need.