<p>Firstly, as some of you might know, I submitted my FA application to UVA late. I expected this to be my main problem.</p>
<p>Apparently now they want me to send an updated green card that has not expired. Now, my PR status never expires, though the card does, and AFAIK, the main problem should be at airports. The update law in 1990 that forces us to update the card every ten years changed the rules only to get people to renew the <em>technology</em> on the cards, like biometric scanning and so forth, so you can't for example give your card to some random terrorist and try to pass him off as you. AFAIK the technology (or the possibility of impostors) is irrelevant when it comes to financial aid. I mean, if the student sending you the card is not really who's printed on the card, then the student going to UVA is likely not who's stated on the application either, nor the person on the HS or the dual enrollment transcript, nor will he be the student who's taken the SAT scores. Similarly, I don't think the biometric technology is important when you're sending a <em>photocopy</em> of the card ... </p>
<p>My family hasn't really been able to afford a renewal (it's 1200 dollars for the whole family), and getting documents and bank receipts together to support a fee waiver from the federal government is more onerous than filing for taxes or filling out financial aid. And I don't think I'll be able to get an update strip on the card before May 1 ... </p>
<p>Any advice? I'm trying to draft an email to the financial aid office, but I don't know how to start presenting my situation. I'm going to call them up too, but they only re-open two days from now.</p>
<p>They probably will not be able to make an exception. It is a legal requirement to carry a current valid green card and one that is out of date is not supposed to be used to verify your eligibility to work or probably for financial aid.</p>
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<p>I was lucky that my green card is from 1988 so i am grandfathered in to the old system where you are not required to renew it. I had thought about doing it to get a machine readable card for when I go to vist my Mum - but $370 - that is a lot of money!! Pays a good chunk of a trip to see her!!</p>
<p>Actually i don’t carry mine all the time - i am too scared of losing it. but shh - don’t tell anyone.</p>
<p>Not an exception for sure, but is there any way to ask for a time extension?</p>
<p>We’re renewing it tomorrow. Another 370 dollars to go on top of the 250 dollar deposit … <em>sobs</em> but I’m not sure it’s wise send in a decision with full knowledge of what my aid is going to be…</p>