<p>So, after completing our FAFSA for the 2011 year, I just got news today that my father has been unemployed. He was the only working parent and made about 80k, so our efc was around $14,000. Is there anything I can do that might adjust this with a school?</p>
<p>I basically have a full tuition scholarship to Kansas State, and have half to Baylor. I got accepted to the University of Wisconsin and i'm still waiting on Georgetown, Duke, Emory, Vanderbilt, and WashU.</p>
<p>I'm worried that i'll have to completely cut off those schools from my list because of their lofty prices.</p>
<p>Does anyone have suggestions on how to appeal and mention my new circumstances?</p>
<p>You can contact your schools, but I don’t think the schools will do much at this point. Schools often wait awhile to see if parents find other jobs. At this point, both of your parents might be “job hunting” so that at least one becomes employed. If your mom finds a job, then I think your dad can still collect unemployment (but I’m not sure how that all works…others can comment). </p>
<p>The scholarship school sounds like a FAFSA school, so they may not do much since EFC is based on previous year’s income.</p>
<p>As for the CSS schools like Duke…they may do an adjustment later on (after many weeks of unemployment), but it may be after final school choices are made. </p>
<p>That said, with an income of $80k, I’m not sure how much a school like Vandy or Duke would expect. Vandy is a “no loan” school so your “family contribution” may end up being about the same as a 5500 student loan and some summer work money from you.</p>
<p>You may need to focus on getting a summer job to come up with any shortfalls.</p>
<p>You need to contact each school and find out how THEY deal with this situation. It will vary by school. There ARE schools that will work with you…and there are schools that may have a waiting time as mom2 suggests. You will only know if you contact the schools directly. They will require verification of your dad’s layoff…and remember than any severance pay he receives will be considered in their equation as well.</p>
<p>Thank you for the advice! More information on the situation: my father is not planning on finding a job until I decide my college, as he intends to relocate to an area near the school. That being said, it will take a good 2 to 3 months before I actually know. Also, my mother is a housewife and has not had a job since our move to the United States about 6 years ago, so we will not have any income for the next few months.</p>
<p>Your father should be looking for work where ever he can find it. Why does he want to follow you where ever you go to school? The cost of relocating will add a great deal to expenses of getting you off to school. Also, be aware that many schools will require you to begin paying toward the fall semester long before you ever set foot on campus. Deposits for housing and tuition, then the entire first semester bill usually gets paid in August if you aren’t paying monthly. Monthly payments could start as early as June 1! I am sorry your Dad has lost his job right at this very important time. Congrats on the offers you already have. I know many schools will take a “wait and see” approach, but it is worth checking with each school to see what they recommend.</p>
<p>Did your father receive any kind of severance (salary continuance) package? </p>
<p>I agree with the others that your father does not have the luxury of waiting until he finds out where you will be attending college. </p>
<p>Since the job loss is recent, your dad will probably receive some kind of severance package and then unemployment. </p>
<p>I would not expect this year’s financial aid package to radically change since it is based on last year’s income and there is an expectation that he should have been saving. </p>
<p>In the mean time, if you need to pay a refundable room deposit at Kansas in order to hold a housing for you if you plan to live in the dorms. If you get accepted into other schools in April, you will need to place a seat deposit to hold your spot. so your family will need some $$.</p>
<p>Is your family planning on moving with you so that you all can live in the same house and you can commute to school? </p>
<p>How does your dad know if he’ll be able to get a job in your chosen school’s area? Many schools are located in areas with depressed job markets…or in areas where the cost of living is ridiculous.</p>