<p>Then you would have to call the college and ask. </p>
<p>If everything you say is true, then the college is not following the law. I prefer to think there are probably mistakes along the way. </p>
<p>I also feel at this point it is isn't worth any more of my effort -- at this point we are going around in circles. Remember my analogy about the speed limit above? I keep saying that the posted speed limit is 55, and you keep telling me over and over again that you have seen cars going 80. </p>
<p>No one ever said that all the colleges are doing things right all of the time. I have no idea what university gave your son that non-award or what they did to figure it out... but I know that if your son's FAFSA EFC was less than the cost of attendance then he would have been eligible for a subsidized loan, whether or not it was listed in the award he was offered.</p>
<p>Maybe the college in question has some sort of kickback arrangement with its lenders and they get more money when they can trick ignorant students into signing up for unsubsidized loans. I mean -- that's a pretty strong accusation for me to make but....er.... I seem to remember some officials at some high class universities losing their jobs a few months ago over funny arrangements they had with private lenders. </p>
<p>So I believe you. Your son and your friend's son applied to some out of state university with an incompetent and corrupt financial aid office that didn't bother to retrieve or enter SAR data into the calculation before sending off a form letter which offered no aid whatsoever. </p>
<p>That doesn't change the rules that apply for kids who attend colleges where the financial aid offices are capable and honest. Nor does it change the fact that anyone who feels they haven't gotten what they are entitled in a financial aid should follow up with an appropriate inquiry.</p>