<p>Financial aid officer chiming in here … federal money is STRICTLY regulated. There are rules and regulations every school MUST follow when awarding federal aid.</p>
<p>First, assuming no Pell eligibility, the only “guarantee” is Stafford loans. SEOG and federal work study are awarded from a pot of money that is given to the school at the start of the year. Schools distribute them according to the neediest-first … so a student at a school with many low EFC students will be less likely to get these funds than a student at a school with few low EFC students. In addition, schools have often awarded all of these funds by the start of the first semester; even low EFC students might not get any funding for a second semester start or a late FAFSA filing. Perkins is very limited & not available at all schools; it must be awarded to the neediest students in the school’s population.</p>
<p>Stafford loans are awarded as follows: Cost of Attendance - EFC - any scholarships/grants/other aid = Need. Subsidized loans are awarded up to Need or $3500/4500/5500 (fr/soph/jrsr), whichever is lowest. To determine unsubsidized loan eligibility, take COA - any scholarships/grants/other aid (including subsidized Stafford loan) = unsub eligibility. The maximum sub AND unsub is $5500/6500/7500 (fr/soph/jrsr) … take the maximum minus subsidized awarded (if any) to determine the amount the student can receive (as long as the total of all aid does not exceed the COA … if it does, loans are only awarded up to COA).</p>
<p>I just noticed that you said one school is wiling to work with you, while the other is not. The government allows schools to use professional judgment in unusual situations. You were fortunate that one school worked with you … they were under no obligation to do so.</p>