Unemployed and Financial Aid problems

Paying for College
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<p>What age cap on Pell? I don’t remember that there was any such cap before he took office, but I never really looked for one either! Pell is meant to help low income individuals and families…and that’s not going to change because the government simply can’t afford to fund everyone! As strange as it sounds, at $21K your income was more than double the federal poverty level for a single person and, as kelsmom said, above what many families who qualify for full Pell grants made last year. I don’t think that eliminating the $2400 in untaxed income is going to get you to a 0 EFC, though it may make you Pell eligible, and it’s up to the school, not the president, to determine whether any additional adjustments should be made. It’s the same boat that everyone rows…so no one is discriminating against unemployed or single people!</p>

<p>On the SNF - it only excludes assets from the calculation and it IS automatic as long as you qualify (dislocated worker/tax form questions answered correctly and income under the threshold). If you had no assets contributing to your EFC before, it will not change anything because there’s nothing to exclude. If you just made the corrections yesterday, the SAR you’re looking at is probably not updated yet. Did you get an email saying that your changes had been processed?</p>

<p>It doesn’t really matter what other people may or may not be qualified for - you only have to find out what YOU qualify for. I think you primarily need to find out what your school’s policy is on adjustments for unemployment for independent students…and it may depend on whether you’re still unemployed as a prolonged period of unemployment is more likely to result in a favorable appeal. If you had any other expenses that typically qualify for adjustments (support to a family member, medical bills, etc.) you should bring along documentation of that. If you approach the appeal process without being combative and accept that the aid officer you meet with most likely possesses a far greater knowledge and understanding of the regulations and requirements than you do, you’ll be doing yourself a favor. It’s always better enlist their help than to try to argue with them so ask questions, seek alternatives in the form of special programs/grants for dislocated workers, etc. but truly listen to what they are saying. Remember that it is also in the school’s best interests to find ways to collect that tuition so it’s unlikely that they will deny you aid that you actually are qualified for!</p>

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<p>I’d be interested in how the FA office handled the unemployment benefits that were untaxed. Looking at the regs, I see the same thing as Kelsmom. They COULD be eliminated, but do not have to be. Someone who only made , say under $10k during the year, would be someone that would likely have that $2400 untaxed unemployment benefit, disregardes, but as you go up the pay scales, I could see where professional judgment comes into play.</p>

<p>I don’t see how that $2400 plays such a big role in getting PELL monies for the OP, given his income in the $20K range. </p>

<p>There are a lot of quirky and down right unfair things about FAFSA. Someone receiving alimony is not permitted to file the 1040EZ thereby eliminating the simplified need test qualification for such a person. If you do not meet the simplified need test, the very same financial data that would give you a zero EFC, is not going to necessarily happen when you have to go through the whole formula. Single parents are hit harder than married. Someone with a deep pocketed non custodial parent still gets to exclude him on FAFSA. If you live in a house grandmom gave your parents, that home equity is excluded. Qualified pension money is excluded whereas as those who have assets that are not qualified but targeted for old age has to cough 'em up. It is not fair. But them’s the rules.</p>

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<p>Sk8rmom- That’s why I’m here, trying to figure out ways to approach the aid officer. The original problems in this thread occurred when someone chose not to read what I typed, then inserted words/wording which had certain implications.</p>

<p>Regardless- No, removing the $2,400 won’t result in a 0 EFC, it results in a 4721 EFC. Zeroing out my UI income, however, results in a zero EFC as I only actually made $4,000 outside of UI benefits, resulting in more grant opportunities. </p>

<p>I believe that the current administration is trying to help the unemployed get an education. Or at least make it seem like they are. I just hope that A) My correcting my FAFSA last night didn’t greatly delay my processing (as it’s been a month and a half+ already), and B) my financial aid counselor is able to help me even though they haven’t sent me a determination of my aid package yet. </p>

<p>Cptofthehouse- with an EFC of 4721 I qualified for an $800 pell. With the $2,400 added in my EFC shoots over 5500, and $0 from Pell. The thing that gets me, as stated previously, is that all the hoopla the current administration is putting on the relaxed requirements for the unemployed to get educational funding, notably the Pell, then it’s becoming the most difficult thing to qualify for.</p>

<p>I don’t get alimony, and I did file a 1040EZ, and for the SNT I made under $30K. So far it hasn’t made any change in my EFC, but then I only changed my FAFSA late last night.</p>

<p>Single people, nevermind single parents, are hit the worst. The theory being that because we don’t have an ‘extra mouth to feed’ we’re somehow less needy, or less worthy. Most government benefit programs are set up based around that very thing. I don’t qualify for food stamp or health care because I’m single, and do not have a child. </p>

<p>Kelsmom- the reason we’re unemployed is due to not being able to get a job to even struggle for less than $20K a year. Unemployment is not steady income- it doesn’t last as long as what you hear/see on the news. When the government says “Benefits cover you for 72 weeks of unemployment”, that’s simply not true. What they mean to say is they create a ‘pool’ of money for each individual based on whatever their state factors are for UI which is equal to X number of weeks. The avg. person only has a standard UI pool enough to cover 4 months max, then with tiers, another 4 months, but at reduced wages.</p>

<p>In the meantime we’re expected, and are audited, on our ability to make contacts for employment. </p>

<p>I would <em>love</em> to even have one of these unpaid adult internships I hear so much about just to fill a gap in my resume. </p>

<p>Further, I have 3 weeks of UI left. By the time school starts I’ll be off UI for a month, and even still- I can’t collect UI in my state and go to college full time.</p>

<p>Hell, I’d love to have 2 parents, even 1 parent, working <em>for</em> me so I could get an education. Working to pay bills, and working to put a roof over my head. Instead I have to drive further and further away from home in search of work. In a city of 4.5 million people that’s a long way.</p>

<p>I’ve even applied to Takeoutjobs.org. Sent 2 follow up emails. They haven’t replied. I don’t think they really want me to take their job. Or they grossly underestimated the responses they’d get. The first downfall of any employee is to think their contribution is so great as to secure their position.</p>

<p>Also- FAFSA is the Department of Education, so they claim. The Department of Education contacts I’ve made seem…well…interesting. There’s a lot of conflicting information regarding unemployed persons and financial aid with them.</p>

<p>Either way, it seems I’m going to need to hope/pray/plead for professional judgment on my case- I have no safety net, no family living who can take me in. When my UI is finished I’ll be coasting off the crumbs till school starts, having sold off all of my belongings other than my computer. Eviction will come at the end of September. </p>

<p>Yes, I wish I had even a chance to work for less than I make now. Anything. Anything is better than nothing.</p>

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<p>Meester - it’s not the same - a tax credit of $2400 is a reduction in your tax liability of $2400. This is completely different from a reduction in the amount of income that is taxed by $2400, which is your situation.</p>

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<p>Ok, I found a form on the college website for Income Adjustment for those with extenuating circumstances, and the first thing on the form is Unemployment.</p>

<p>I’ve dug out my 2009 W2’s, my last mailed correspondence from the state UI dated May 2010, and my Pell Grant eligibility letter from the state.</p>

<p>I have a list of questions to ask such as- can I request a special circumstances adjustment? Do I need the Income Adjustment Form (and would they let me fill it out on the spot- it’s all of 3 lines, and I have no printer at home), do I qualify for the Simplified Needs Test, and if so being that I have extenuating circumstances (notably long unemployment) could my UI income be zeroed as recommended by the Dept of Ed.? Finally- did changing my FAFSA (I changed the ‘what form did you file on your 2009 returns’ to 1040EZ, not sure how it got on 1040, but the school even has my 1040EZ on file/online) delay my financial aid package, even if the SAR didn’t change, and regardless of the known extenuating circumstances?</p>

<p>Anything else I should add?</p>

<p>Madison- I know, but the problem is the logic behind it. There is none when you hold it up to other sorts of welfare-type federal government payments which are untaxed, and are NOT included.</p>

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<p>Yes, you should fill out the income adjustment form - go to your public library if you need to print a copy in advance. But, if all that a full Pell would give you is $5550 and the same access to Stafford loans that other independent FAFSA-filing students have, will that actually be enough to pay for school full-time plus your living expenses? Does TX have any state funds for retraining? Have you considered relocating? There are jobs out there for experienced, motivated workers (I still hear various employers in my area complain constantly that they can’t find good workers and even my 17-year old has more job offers than he can handle) but it is a regional demand. Often smaller cities and more rural areas, who have lower cost of living and rely less on large employers anyway, have more stable employment and opportunities in periods of economic downturn. Additionally, fewer people are affected by things such as “housing bubbles” because they simply never happened in many of those areas.</p>

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<p>You’re wrong that the theory is that you’re less needy or worthy…there are almost aways local programs like food pantries, shelters, etc. that do not exlude singles, many states are sponsoring worker retraining programs and there are federal aid programs, including Pell/FSEOG/Perkins which low income singles qualify for - singles can even get an Earned Income Credit, I believe. The problem is that the federal (and most state) educational benefit programs always have a look back period to the previous year and your income was higher than the cutoff. For current help, and to maximize your current income, check your state and county resource agencies for leads on help you can get locally as they often maintain lists of such programs. For example, in my (large) county, anyone can join a low-cost food co-op, shop at a non-profit grocery that sells heavily discounted food they get from restaurant suppliers and grocery stores (this is where the cases with dents or the overstocks end up), or just show up at the produce giveaway that occurs at least once a week at various churches and community centers. There are medical clinics and other agencies that offer services on a sliding scale based on income and family size, but are available to everyone. The smaller neighboring counties have fewer needy people and their aid programs tend to be much more generous. Anyway, the reality is that having children without a stable environment - shelter, food, daycare, access to medical services - is not the same as only having to fend for yourself as an adult. Single people do have more options, including relocation, and are not as likely to suffer long-term consequences, such as developmental delays and health issues, from periods of poverty or near-poverty as children are. The government simply can’t fund every single need of it’s citizens and has to triage those that can and should be helped the most, which are generally children, disabled people, and the elderly, as they are too young, old, or sick to fend for themselves and have more limited options.</p>

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<p>I have great sympathies for you. I can see where that $800 can make a big difference for you. It is a tough, tough situation. If it’s sympathies you want, I can give it to you in abundance.</p>

<p>But you are bad mouthing the best source of information here. Kelsmom works in fin aid. She hears hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of hard luck stories, and can categorize them quickly. She is who you are going to be telling your situation at your school, not literally, but someone like her. Except that person is not going to tell you what s/he thinks. The paper work will be taken, your story taken, and you will be told that they will send you a decision about the appeal. And then you will be given the results. Some mysterious “they” will have made the decision, and that will be it. So, you have a preview as to what a fin aid person thinks about your particular predicament. So you can prepare a good argument, respectable story for your case. Getting outraged and upset isn’t going to help you in this particular case, because the decision is likely to be made without you there. And you know how hard it is to make contact with them as busy as they are. So take everything Kelsmom is telling you as pure gold, and work on intelligently building your case. The pity party isn’t going to work, as she has made it clear that someone making what you are making is not going to garner much sympathy. Your story is not considered sad at all; many, many more that are going to get the sympathy vote, the hard luck sentiments, not yours, so you can forget that argument.</p>

<p>Also, I was not implying that you get alimony or fit in any of those categories that FAFSA just does not treat consistently. I’d like to say “fairly” but that is objective. There are just a number of situations where you get a special advantage and some where you get a disadvantage and arguing that the rules make no sense is a waste of time. We all know that the rules make no sense in some categories. But they are there, and they are not going to be moved without an act of Congress. That was just the way the bills were written upon approval, so that is the way they’ll stay. </p>

<p>If you are in the market for an unpaid internship, you can create one yourself by doing volunteer work, community service work for which I am sure there is a great need. I made my son do this when he returned to the house on unemployment. Yes, he spent a few months on the dole; and in his case made as much, maybe more that way than when he was employed. He, too, gets the $2400 untaxed as well.</p>

<p>In looking at your situation, the fin aid folks are going to put you into the category of others who are in your financial category. Should that much weight be put on the fact that the government is giving you a tax break on that $2400 so the school should not even consider it at all as opposed to a guy who earned that $2400? That’s the crux of the matter. How it fits into dislocated workers and special circumstances is going to depend on what stories financial aid is investigating to give more funds. Your situation, though yes, is not as favorable as some kids who have parents to help pay their way, is not so dire in dollar amounts.</p>

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<p>Also, it is pretty clear that you DO NOT qualify for the Simplified Needs test. Look at the post that tells you so and look at the FAFSA rules. That is an unmovable.</p>

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<p>^Cpt, I’m pretty sure he does qualfiy for simplified needs (dislocated worker/income under $30K)…but he can’t qualify for Automatic 0 because he’s an independent student and has no dependents. SNF only excludes assets though, and so there may be no impact on the original EFC.</p>

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<p>The Federal Funds for retraining are gone and have not been re-established. Originally prospective students/applicants had until mid-June 2010 to apply for them. Nice. But suddenly in early May 2010, without notice, they rescinded the date from Mid-June to MId-May. By the time I found out (as I was checking the site now and then) it was too late.</p>

<p>The only offers now are industry specific retraining. I’m looking into getting a nursing degree, then a post-grad doctorate. 8-10 years of school. A complete jumping of the ship as it were.</p>

<p>How can I relocate? That costs money. That’s the plight of many low-wage workers: They hear about a land of opportunity somewhere else, but without resources behind them it’s impossible to get out of the mire they’re in. For me, being able to go back to school is a way out of that, and granted I should have done this 20 years ago, but live/learn.</p>

<p>Currently there are 1.26-2 million people (depending on which set of stats you go with, 1.26 is the “official” state stats) unemployed in the state. With 55,000-72,000 jobs in the whole state, well, it’s a mess. And I’m already looking for work up to 20 miles out of city limits, which is ~30+ miles from my home. At one point I applied for every Park Ranger I position in the state and actually drove 680 miles to Big Bend State Ranch for an interview on a job paying $10.80/hour.</p>

<p>In the minds of the Federal government the single-payer is less worthy. Sadly. the Food Bank here goes by federal guidelines. Shelters in my city are avoided by even the homeless, and to receive a meal at some place such as the Star of Hope requires that you actually BE homeless, and go through their program of “Spiritual Recovery” (yes, it’s actually called that. I used to donate time when I was first unemployed to the Star of Hope).</p>

<p>I make too much, due to UI, to qualify for even emergency county healthcare. The last time I went to the hospital- my eardrum burst, despite having no job, and being paid ~200/week I was asked to fork over $85 up front, then sent a bill for an additional $64, and the pharmacy tried to get me for $75- which I couldn’t pay, so I did without, and endured the pain. Try losing your eardrum, then having no pain medication, and having to decide “should I eat since I haven’t in 3 days, or should I get these pills”. </p>

<p>So while a family making $10,000/year (which presuming family can mean more than 1 income) is struggling, they will have access to resources which I do not. Healthcare and food assistance which would be a God-send in my case. I would <em>love</em> to see a doctor. I would <em>love</em> to be able to eat every day. Yes, I know in other states the unemployed are able to qualify for nice sums of food assistance and collect UI. I do not qualify. I’ve tried. Twice. The 2nd time was my appeal. The whole process took 6 months.</p>

<p>I didn’t qualify for the EIC, and if professional judgment is not exercised at the school, I will not receive a Pell or a FSEOG. If they follow the suggestion of the Department of Ed. and Obama himself (who stated it was ridiculous that including UI income should block someone unemployed from qualifying for the Pell), and zero my UI, then I qualify for both according to the schools online calc, and the FAFSA4caster.</p>

<p>Food Co-op’s are not popular here. If this were Austin it would be one thing, but it’s not. I’ve looked into them, they range from $50/month up to $250/month. $50/month is most of my food budget.</p>

<p>I agree that having a child without such resources isn’t good, but I don’t believe 1 life is less worthy than another. The fact of the matter is that the Parents of the children are garnering the benefits, not their children. It’s a trickle-down effect. Welfare became a joke in the 80’s due to that very reason- have more children, get more money. The system is set up to suggest that the life of a child is worth more, not equal to, a single payer. Let’s give benefits to one citizen, but not the other. </p>

<p>Who can deny children, and it’s so easy to ignore older folks who have fallen on hard times.</p>

<p>The government could meet the needs of it’s citizens if it wanted- If we can wage wars in foreign lands to the sum of 10 trillion (4 trillion already spent), then we as a people surely have the right to expect our government look out for us.</p>

<p>What is the purpose of government except to provide for mutual benefit of a people living in an area, and for their protection? Somewhere along the way we’ve lost sight of that concept- helping ones neighbor.</p>

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<p>Cptofthehouse- I understand, but I’m going off her tone. I understand, too, that tone online is sometimes hard to discern, and perhaps I’ve been online longer than many, but the words she used, and injecting words which were not said, all smack of negativity. This, of course, set me off. </p>

<p>I have no intention of getting outraged, as seems to be the popular belief here. I seriously doubt that another human being would, to my face, say such things as she did in her first post. If she was jumping to conclusions, and thus the need to change my statements, then that’s just wrong.</p>

<p>I was doing volunteer work- at the Star of Hope, when I was first unemployed. I reckoned I’d be hired soon, and had worked for them in the past. I had to stop eventually as the cost of getting to/from got to be too great for me. I had to sell my car, and even taking the bus can be a burden. Just to visit my financial aid office today I’m scrounging up dimes for the bus.</p>

<p>I’m far beyond, at this point, worrying over the $2,400 you mention. At this point I’m trying to see if they’ll absolve my UI income as recommended by the government, which would then qualify me for a Pell and other grants. </p>

<p>As for the SNT- there’s no doubt in my mind that I do qualify.</p>

<p>"Several changes to the simplified needs test (SNT) and automatic zero (auto zero) calculation formulas are effective beginning with the 2009-10 award year.</p>

<p>The modifications to the simplified needs test specify that:</p>

<pre><code>* A dependent student is eligible for the simplified needs test if one of the student’s parents is a dislocated worker;

  • An independent student is eligible for the simplified needs test if the student (or spouse) is a dislocated worker; and
  • The time frame during which an individual may have received means-tested federal benefits to establish eligibility for the simplified needs test is extended from 12 to 24 months. This applies to both dependent and independent students.
    </code></pre>

<p>“Dislocated worker” is defined in section 101 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.</p>

<p>The same changes (addition of dislocated worker criterion and increase to 24 months) are made for the automatic zero calculation. In addition, the maximum qualifying income level for the auto zero Expected Family Contribution (EFC) formula is increased from $20,000 to $30,000. The Secretary is required to update this figure annually according to increases in the Consumer Price Index.</p>

<p>Again, these changes are effective on July 1, 2009 for the 2009-10 award year. "</p>

<p>I’m a dislocated worker, I filed the 1040EZ, and I made $21K (17K in UI) in the past 12 months. All of which are the established criteria for the SNT of an independent student.</p>

<p>It doesn’t seem, however, that the SNT did anything for me. And I know I don’t qualify for the auto-zero EFC simply due to not having a child. </p>

<p>Finally- I appreciate your sympathy, but what I really wanted was an opinion, and some suggestions on how to approach the subject, feedback on my particular situation. Sk8rmom has been rather helpful in that regard. I simply wanted some background, some information I don’t know or can’t research on my own. </p>

<p>What I’ve found out is that some FAA’s could be very resistant to the idea of government suggestion in the aid of the unemployed, and that it’s going to be up to the individual administrator to help me with this.</p>

<p>Why financial aid isn’t more…in the open, with updated information (knowing that it seems to be changing yearly these days) is beyond me. It’s so vital, so important, that I would think FAA’s would want to make things as simple as possible. As-is, or at least the experience with my school, is that you need to be pro-active and figure out what you want to do, what forms you <em>think</em> you need to fill out, and then submit them and hope for the best. Otherwise they will not contact you.</p>

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<p>Simplified needs test (SNT) and auto 0 EFC are TWO different things. Being eligible for SNT only means that your assets do not get reported. Auto $0 is different. Can you qualify for the auto $0 EFC as an independent undergrad if you have no dependents (wife or kiddos?)? I don’t know.</p>

<p>If you have SIGNIFICANT assets, the SNT would be a good thing for you…if not, I’m not sure what you would gain. AND if you had significant assets, paying $800 more for the year probably wouldn’t matter as much either. Maybe I’m misinterpreting this all…but the OP sounds like he/she doesn’t HAVE any significant assets. So…if that is the case…what good would the SNT do him/her?</p>

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<p>Thumper- exactly. It’s what I’ve come to conclude. I have no assets beyond my income for 2009.</p>

<p>Strange how I can find how to qualify for the SNT and auto-zero EFC, but finding out what those really mean is like pulling teeth. Where is the centralized resource for all this that I’m missing? I’d be glad for it if someone could provide a link.</p>

<p>It seems that in the past qualifying for the SNT would mean various things for an FAA to ‘professionally judge’, but I’m not sure. The amount of information is staggering, and most of it dated what with the laws changing frequently.</p>

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<p>What do you want to know? Qualifying for SNT eliminates assets in the FAFSA EFC calculation…and so far as I know…that is IT!!</p>

<p>Auto $0 has very specific qualifications as you have found out. But having an auto $0 would only benefit you with regards to federally funded need based aid…Pell, subsidized Stafford…maybe Perkins, Maybe SEOG, Maybe state grants. </p>

<p>I’m not sure that school finaid officers can just “make a judgment” that you have an auto $0. <em>I</em> would think you would have to file a special circumstances request…which MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT be considered by the school. </p>

<p>I guess I don’t understand some of your posting…I think you said you “earned” $4000 but your total income was about $20K…did you really have three times the unemployment income as earned income? Wow!!</p>

<p>As you are trying to do…you need to deal with your schools financial aid office. They may or may not consider your request. I don’t believe this is an automatic thing. </p>

<p>And make sure you take ALL supporting documentation with you.</p>

<p>But remember…income is income…whether earned or unearned.</p>

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<p>I’ve been unemployed, under 2 different accounts, for a long time. I never in my wildest nightmare imagined that it would last this long. Yes, the company I was previously employed with from March-early May shut down laying off all of us. I was the operations manager. The fellow was trying to take his small company and make it ‘big’, and so hired myself, 2 computer designers, and some sales people. He had a loan, we found out, for 2.5 million dollars, and he was behind on repayment by just over 100K. What did he spend it on? It’s anyone’s guess. Mine would be the 3 pick up trucks, the new H3 Hummer, his wife’s new Escalade, their new home, etc. He never allocated money from the 2.5 mil loan for salaries. I knew something was suspicious when my first check bounced, and the guys in the warehouse (none of whom had papers to work here) were being paid $6/hour for hard labor, but only being paid, in cash, once every 3-4 weeks. More than one week I bought the guys lunch and other food out of my own pocket. Not 1 or 2 days here/there, but every day. They had no food, but were financially tied to this company in the hopes of being paid their back-due. It was sad.</p>

<p>It was beyond ridiculous. And had I knew what I was getting into I’d have never gone with it. I spent the last of my savings on moving to a lower-rent place after that, and on a job interview in Austin for which I had to interview, in person, twice for. </p>

<p>Anyway</p>

<p>Sure they could make a judgment to zero my Unemployment Income- the government has given them increased leeway to do so, issuing 3 statements, and including even more flexible guidelines in the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. </p>

<p>They have the ability, they have been empowered, so from a government standpoint there is little reason they cannot.</p>

<p>That doesn’t mean, as I suspect, they can simply from the ability to dole out Pell grant money. I’m not sure how it’s disbursed, if it’s like other grant money where if the school doesn’t use it, they lose it? I know there is 3,030,000,000 in Pell grant money available for this year alone, and the Fed predicts that it won’t all be given out.</p>

<p>Income is income, but the Department of Education and the Department of Labor have stated, and issued statements to each state government, and in turn to each participating college in the country why unemployment income should not be counted. My opinion is that if the DoEd supports something, then maybe FAA’s ought to give it some serious thought? Of course, maybe I’m wrong? </p>

<p>I did, also, find a proposed amendment to the CCRA in which the Fed wants to pursue removing unemployment income from EFC factoring, thus doing what some FAA’s can’t or won’t do- show leniency towards the unemployed, and help us get the grant money and loans to get into school, something the current administration has been ‘pushing’ since start.</p>

<p>Either way- I’m going in at 2:30 to meet with my FAA and discuss everything. I have a list of questions/concerns, and I’m hoping that they show leniency as my situation does have extenuating circumstances. </p>

<p>Also- my UI income is very small compared to many states. Texas has abysmally low UI payouts, and we don’t have a Tier 4 (being .2 away from qualifying for an additional unemployment tier) of unemployment benefits. The Federal government is already paying for that (not state government- make no mistake), so it seems even from a financial point of view smarter to have the unemployed go back to school, get grants, get loans, get off the UI teet.</p>

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<p>I am not savvy in financial aid as others and kelsmom, who responded to your post in a helpful manner, did not deserve your thrashing. Take the chip off your shoulder before you become a nurse. But, I am a nurse who employs other nurses. You mentioned you are looking for an unpaid internship. Check out the nursing homes and hospitals. They need volunteers. Volunteering often leads to contacts and jobs, especially in health care. No, they aren’t “official” internships but they can help with experience and references. Nursing is one area in which scholarships are available for those who demonstrate aptitude and interest and volunteering is a great way to do that.</p>

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<p>GTalum- While I appreciate your White Knight attitude, you are approaching it from the side of a friend, subjectively, and not objectively. Step back, look at what she said, how she said it. Imagine you didn’t know this person, and she said those things to you in person. You too would be taken back. Personally, I’m offended when someone misuses my words to make a suggestion, an implication, which isn’t true. </p>

<p>Further, while I appreciate, again, you coming to the belated defense of Kelsmom, what purpose does it serve, after so many have chimed in on her behalf, to continue the stoning? At this point you’re only seeking to prolong, not remedy the situation. I’m sorry, but if that part of this thread is over, it should be over. Right?</p>

<p>I’ve actually called…lets see…45 practitioners, all hospitals in the Med Center, and my specialists at Baylor seeking just such opportunities. Zip.</p>

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<p>Pell is an entitlement meaning that IF you qualify, you get the portion of the grant for which you qualify. The school doesn’t determine this…it is your FAFSA EFC that determines your eligiblility for the PELL.</p>

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<p>The key word is CAN. They CAN make this adjustment. They do not HAVE to. If they HAD to the wording would be MUST.</p>

<p>Good luck today…You may get more money…and you may not.</p>

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<p>I know the EFC determines the amount of Pell I would receive. Previously I was told on my SAR that I might get up to $800. Now 0.</p>

<p>There was never any question in regards to that. My question was in regards to Pell money- is it a use-it-or-lose-it situation? I’ve read that some grant monies are reduced if a college doesn’t disburse all of it in a given year.</p>

<p>I know, too, they don’t have to give anything. Not only have I iterated my understanding of this, but it has been mentioned in several posts.</p>

<p>It’s why I’m hoping that in the near future they change the CCRA to reflect that. With unused Pell money every year, I simply don’t see the reason why FAA’s aren’t giving out more of it? Hmmm ?</p>

<p>I appreciate your help, though, and thanks for your good wishes.</p>

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<p>ANY student who is eligible for the Pell gets it. The schools do not have a “limited pool” of Pell money to disburse. If other students accept or don’t accept the Pell at your school…this has NO BEARING on your ability to get this grant. The school can’t “run out” of Pell money. Is that what you want to know?</p>

<p>There are other limited, first come first served types of aid. Schools receive a fixed amount of Perkins loans, for example. My understanding is that once these are used up…that’s it. No more. Other grants (SEOG) are limited funding as well and not every school has those, I don’t believe.</p>

<p>But Pell…if you are eligible…you get whatever amount you are eligible for.</p>