In light of a recent thread I just read about appealing one’s financial aid package, wanted to see if my situation would be a good reason to appeal my aid. For some context, I finished my A.A. degree a year ago and decided to work for a year. Quit my job to return to school to finish my bachelor’s degree and pursue med school aspirations.
In short, I am having trouble financing my education. I have an EFC of about $10K. As an independent (FAFSA purposes), I was offer 12.5K in federal loans (and some grant money) and my calculated COA will be about $22K - $25K…meaning I’ll need just about $5K/semester to attend my fall and spring semesters. Issue is that I no longer make enough to afford the calculated EFC/gap.
The tax information used to calculate my EFC was from when I was making $45k/year. As I am making nothing near that today (as a soon-to-be full-time student), would I have a basis to appeal my aid?
I don’t know much about FA (I’m just only now starting college), but appeal your FA. If you aren’t making the same amount, you can appeal to your school. Worst comes to worst, maybe try to get a side job. It’ll be rough with studies, but it should help bridge the gap. Again, I don’t know much, and I am sorry if I am not that helpful. Even so, I’m rooting for you and your med school dreams!
@threepeat
You can ask…but remember that your income from 2017 WILL be used for the 2019-2020 academic year. Since it’s prior prior for everyone, the school probably won’t do much for you, because next year your income will be that lower amount. But ask…you never know.
It should be possible for you to work 10 hours a week or so, and of course, you should have a job NOW full time for the summer.
Did you already quit your job? Or did you give notice that you would be leaving at the end of the summer?
@threepeat
You mentioned in one of you other threads that you’ll be attending one of your state’s public colleges. State colleges have very limited funding available. Even if you do successfully appeal your EFC, chances are there are no additional funds available.
Yes, you can file the change in circumstances form and the FA will consider you for a professional judgment override. I don’t know how they will view it that you voluntarily left your job, but be prepared to explain that you had no choice but to go to school full time.
Now, you may only get a small amount more (part of a Pell grant or some aid the school has available), but it is worth filing the appeal. Most schools have the forms on the webpage.