Spring Semester Financial Aid?

<p>After jumping through all the typical hoops, I found myself admitted to my dream school. Unfortunately, here I sit a few months later and $10,000 short of actually being able to attend. Doing all I can, $10,000 is just too much to garner and I'm looking at other options while I appeal the decision.
One of my options is applying for Spring semester at one of my back up schools (I had applied ED but financial inability to attend is a valid reason to nullify the ED agreement). I'm fine with losing a semester, I have a back-up college that I'm 90% sure I can make it into and they're quite generous with their financial aid in the fall. Obviously, aid is an important factor, and all the numbers I've run said that if I had applied in fall, I would be fine. I don't want to wait the extra semester, though. </p>

<p>I was wondering, though, does applying for the spring lessen my chances of getting a decent financial aid package? I've heard that colleges will give equally, but I've also heard that some schools run low on funding?</p>

<p>You need to ask at the place you will be applying to. Only they can tell you what their policy is.</p>

<p>But frankly, if money is an issue, it is better to take the whole year off so that you will be considered with the fall pool when the money is better.</p>