<p>I did not qualify for financial aid when I entered college last fall. Now it is December of my sophomore year and my family's income level has suddenly changed. Is it possible for me to get financial aid in time for the coming spring semester? Do I need to fill out the FAFSA again?</p>
<p>The coming spring is still part of the 2008-2009 school year which was covered by the 2008-2009 FAFSA you did last jan/Feb (assuming you completed the 2008-2009 FAFSA - I am not clear on that from your post). You cannot change the information on that FAFSA as that information (2007 income and assets on the date you filed) has not changed. The new FAFSA available Jan 1st is for the 2009-2010 school year - will not cover this spring.</p>
<p>The best thing to do is talk to a financial aid officer. Explain the change of family circumstances and see if you are eligible for a special circumstances adjustment. If you did not file the 2008-2009 FAFSA you will need to do so, then ask about an adjustment. Only the financial aid office can adjust the figures to reflect the change in circumstances. </p>
<p>If the change in circumstances has just happened you will probably have to ask for a special circumstances adjustment again next year as your 2009-2010 FAFSA will include actual 2008 income and will probably not reflect an recent changes.</p>
<p>You will also be asked to verify the income difference. You may be asked for a letter of termination, or something of that kind if a job has been lost. You would be asked for medical receipts if the issue is high medical bills. Be prepared to provide documentation. </p>
<p>Also, if your parent lost a job, and they received a severance package, that will count too as current income. </p>
<p>If you are looking at a change for the coming term (the one starting in Jan), you need to get the necessary information and talk to financial aid as soon as possible to find out what you need to do.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help. I never filled out a 2008-2009 FAFSA because as of the beginning of this school year, my family had a higher income than it did at the beginning of the last school year, when I didn't qualify for aid. I am filling out a 2008-2009 FAFSA now and I'm contacting my financial aid office. My main worry is that I will not get aid in time for the Spring 2009 semester. I hope it works out.</p>