Pell Grant Question

Paying for College
1

<p>Hi guys,</p>

<p>I have a question about Pell Grants.</p>

<p>I think I should receive a Pell Grant for the Univ. of Chicago, but for some reason they're not letting me.</p>

<p>What happened was when I first filled out the FAFSA, I said that my parents were married (they are legally married), and I wasn't eligible for a Pell Grant. Now I changed the FAFSA to reflect the fact that they are technically separated (my dad lives overseas) and the EFC went way down and supposedly I qualify for a Pell Grant.</p>

<p>The Pell Grant is awarded based on just the custodial parent, but the assistant financial aid director I contacted said that the change in the FAFSA didn't matter and that I can't receive a Pell Grant.</p>

<p>Could someone please clarify on that?</p>

2

<p>What is your EFC?</p>

3

<p>It's $3,211. It says on the SAR that I qualify for a Pell Grant. But the University of Chicago factors in both parents in making the expected family contribution, and that ends up being around $26,000. My parents can't afford that, and so we're trying to appeal.</p>

4

<p>3211 would qualify you for @ $1480 in Pell grant.</p>

<p>Maybe they are dubious about you changing your parents marital status from married to single. I remember you posting about this before - your parents file joint returns right? It may have raised some red flags that they filed jointly but you have changed their marital status.</p>