Hello - thanks in advance for any advice. My son is a rising senior who is applying for fall 2018. I know we have to fill out FAFSA in October and it will use 2016 income. Unfortunately, this hasn’t been our best year. I was diagnosed with cancer in December 2016 and spent February-April out on medical leave with minimum income (disability payments only). We also incurred significant medical expenses (two life-saving surgeries; I’m still paying bills six months later).
Then I lost my job in July. 
I understand we can talk to the college financial aid office about our special circumstances. Has anyone navigated something like this? Do they take into account that we had to raid our savings to pay medical bills and have very little savings left now in 2017 (comparing to 2016). I assume I will still be looking for a job this fall when he’s making college decisions. When do we talk to the financial aid offices? After he’s been accepted?
Thank you in advance for any guidance.
I’m sorry you have had all,of this to deal with.
You will be asking for a special circumstances consideration. Every college has its own procedures for this process. So…you will need to contact the colleges to find out what each one wants you to do.
These are handled on a case by case basis.
Only unreimbursed medical expenses will be considered. Did you not have insurance that covered some of this?
Another thing you might want to consider…any chance your kiddo has the SAT or ACT score and GPA to be eligible for significant merit aid anyplace? That would take the income ups and downs out of the equation altogether.
How much can you contribute for your son’s college costs?
Also, you mention YOUR income situation, but not the other parent. Does the other parent have a job?
Although you do fill out the FAFSA with 2016 income, you use the assets you have now. They don’t consider what you should have in assets, only what you do have, plus there is an asset allowance for parents, so you may be under that and your assets won’t be considered at all.
What you have to do is complete the FAFSA with the information it requests, and then appeal with the facts you have now - the lower assets, the job loss, the medical bills. It really depends on the school whether they can make adjustments, and your spouse’s income. For example, if your spouse still makes $100k, the school won’t be able to qualify you for a Pell grant, but may be able to award some of its own money.
CSS has many more places to explain circumstances, but I’d still file an appeal to make sure they took all that into consideration.