Is a terminal illness not a reason for altering financial aid?

Paying for College
1

<p>Background info:
School - University of Texas at Austin
Classification - Sophomore transfer / TX resident
EFC - $19,174
Cost of attendance - $22,464
6 family members, 5 being depends (me, 2 brothers who will be in college in 1 and 3 years, my mother, and widowed grandmother)
Single income household</p>

<p>Based on my EFC and COA, my financial aid package for 2009-2010 is as follows:
$3290 Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan
$15964 Federal Parent Loan for Undergrads (PLUS)
$3210 Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan</p>

<p>Total - $22,464 in loans.</p>

<p>I sent in the appeal form, complete with all documentation, explaining all of my family's new situation. My appeal: A year ago my dad was found to have a malignant tumor in his stomach. He had it removed, underwent chemo, and in the fall of 2008 he lost his job without notice (it was ch. 11 bankruptcy) and lost all insurance and benefits. So his medical bills were being paid out of pocket. He is a car salesman, so of course he is paid purely by commission and we all know GM isn't selling cars and his income is based on the wellness on the economy and people's ability to spend. My dad was employed for a month, then he found employment with another GM dealership... but wasn't eligible for insurance for a few months, and his new income is less than 1/2 then what he was making previously. But eventually we did get insurance, although not a very good one, because we are still paying hefty hospital bills. To make matters worse, about 3 weeks ago the doctors found his cancer had grown back and spread. This past weekend they had it removed, and he is going to continue chemo when he heals from surgery to hopefully destroy the other cancer cells. </p>

<p>I have provided ALL documentation to UT's Office of Financial Aid, including proof of reduced income and 23 pages worth of medical bills (which totaled approx. $70,000, and yes insurance has paid for some of it). </p>

<p>I don't understand WHY I received this email today:</p>

<p>"I have received and reviewed your appeal. Taking into account your family’s circumstances, it does reduce your Estimated Family Contribution on the FAFSA, but not enough to change the amount or type of aid for which you are eligible. Unfortunately, I will not be able to take action on the appeal. Please let me know if you have any other questions."</p>

<p>I can't believe they don't feel like I am needy enough. At the very least, I expected a reduction of the loans, replaced with a grant - no matter how small. I feel like this is a slap in the face, as if they are saying "ok you less money now and your father has a terminal illness, but who cares". I mean honestly what makes someone eligible for an appeal?? </p>

<p>My orientation is this coming Monday... and my parents are planning to go speak to someone at F.A in person. Can anyone please advise me on what to do? My parents can't afford any loans at the moment, either, and despite my new information they won't even replace those... is there anything I can do?</p>

<p>Thanks so much</p>

2

<p>It’s very unfortunate and I understand your feelings. Many state colleges have very little grant money. What they seem to be saying is that their packages look like this for people with much less income than your family has.</p>

<p>One consideration may be to take off a year and focus on reapplying to schools that meet 100% of need. </p>

<p>Your family has enough to handle withot your being over $45K in debt for 2 years of school. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>I hate to tell you this, but Hmom is correct. Many state colleges just don’t have the money to go around. Taxes only take them so far, and they are not the proficient fund raisers that many of the private schools are.</p>

<p>Your parents are taking the right actions meeting in person next week. Perhaps putting a face to the numbers will shake something loose. I’d also encourage them to try and speak to the director of the department is they are available.</p>

4

<p>UTexas, like most state schools does not meet need. The changes to your FAFSA still do not put you into the range of getting more federal aid. What your need is does not matter to UT as it has given you what it can.</p>

5

<p>I am hoping that meeting face to face with my parents will “put a face to a name”. At my previous school, that is exactly what happened… I wasn’t even offered loans…but our situation had changed so much that my parents spoke to the director at my previous school and I ended up paying $4k the whole year, out of pocket. It was grants and some unsubsidized loans. But unfortunately, UT is very stingy I hear… and I do know a student there who received $13,000 in grants this past year because of “low income” but my situation is low income + a terminal illness to the my dad, who happens to be our only source of income (which is commission based).</p>

6

<p>TMT, putting a face to the name may help you. Did you go to a state school before? They just don’t have the funds or flexibility as privates may have. It’s not that they are stingy, as they accept students on a need blind basis and just give what funds they have available. I hope they are able to help you out.</p>

7

<p>Thank you, and yes I did go to a state school. I actually went to UT-Arlington my freshman year. I was unable to apply for transfer scholarships at UT Austin though, since the deadline had passed by time I was accepted, and you have to be admitted first before applying. Otherwise I think a 3.81 gpa would have been enough to get me some scholarship money. Also, UT lowers the financial aid you receive from the university if you receive money from outside sources, such as scholarships.</p>