@austinmshauri My mother has not been able to find another job. However, I emailed Duke’s financial aid office, and they said that a parent’s loss of job can be considered a “special circumstance” that can change my financial aid package after I receive it. Also, half of my family’s AGI is from money that my father took out of his retirement plan to pay our bills, which is also considered a special circumstance. With that in mind, would it still be okay to apply ED?
I’m not quite sure the degree to which submitting documentation of these special circumstances will impact my financial aid package, but I feel like it’s worth the shot. The estimated net price for Duke when the pension and annuities money is considered is about $10,000 MORE than my parents would like to pay. On the other hand, the estimated net price of Duke when the pension and annuities money is NOT considered is $20,000 LESS than the maximum they were willing to pay. So, even if they don’t change my financial aid to completely disregard the “one-time” income we received this year, but they still change it a little bit, it seems like Duke will be affordable.