Panelists at College Confidential’s recent webinar discussed how the COVID-19 emergency could impact financial aid. https://insights.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-amid-covid-19
Asking for additional money is fine, but the reality is that schools have to have money to give away. The current crisis has affected schools’ finances. The additional money from the government to schools for emergency aid doesn’t go far (for example, it averages $290/student at the school where I used to work). While a PJ might result in a lower EFC, that may not result in a Pell Grant or in increased institutional aid. My point is that it’s good to ask, but it’s wise to develop a contingency plan in case the desired additional funding does not materialize.
My S’s school refunded all on campus students for half of the semester cost for room, board, and some fees, like activity and health fee.
I don’t know how many students that amounts to but if you figure several thousand students times $3,000, that is a lot of money.
It is a public university and is dependent on state funding, which might be reduced as well, because tax revenues will most likely go down due to unemployment and business closings.