FAFSA: Got Pell and SEOG grants but still $4586 short for dorm costs - alternatives to Parent PLUS loan?

have u looked into work study? my kid got that along with his pell grant and it helps cover abt $2000 per semester. also check if the school has payment plans so u dont have to pay all at once

You definitely have options beyond Parent PLUS loans. Here's what I suggest: 1. Contact the financial aid office about a professional judgment review if you've had any change in finances since filing FAFSA 2. Ask specifically about work-study - with your negative SAI, he should qualify if funds are available 3. Check for state grants - many have deadlines later than FAFSA 4. Look into outside scholarships - FastWeb and Scholly are good resources 5. Consider a monthly payment plan through the school (usually has minimal fees compared to loans) 6. Emergency student loans from the school (typically low-amount, short-term) Also, run the numbers on commuting if that's geographically possible - living at home for the first year can save thousands.

WHY IS COLLEGE SO EXPENSIVE?!?! This is ridiculous! My daughter got "full financial aid" too and we still had to come up with $6000 per term. The whole system is BROKEN. They tell you you're getting all this "free money" and then hit you with thousands in housing costs. It's a scam.

Have you considered private loans instead of Parent PLUS? With a good cosigner, your son might qualify for better rates than Parent PLUS. Also, look into resident advisor positions for sophomore year - free housing plus stipend at most schools.

Try calling the Federal Student Aid office directly to see if there are additional grant programs your son might qualify for with your negative SAI. I was on hold for HOURS trying to speak with someone until I found Claimyr (claimyr.com). They got me connected to a real person at FSA in under 10 minutes. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ The agent helped me understand additional grants my daughter qualified for that weren't automatically included. Definitely worth checking!

my son was in the exact same boat last year!!! what ended up working for us was appealing directly to the financial aid office and explaining our situation. they found an additional $2000 per semester in institutional funds. also applied for like 25 local scholarships and he got 3 of them totaling $1500. every bit helps!! also check if your employer offers any education benefits for dependents - mine had a $1000 scholarship i didnt even know about until someone mentioned it

Have u considered looking at a cheaper school? Not trying to be harsh but sometimes the prestige isn't worth the debt. My kid transferred after freshman year to our state university and saved over $15k/year with basically the same education quality.

After seeing your responses to other comments, I want to follow up with some additional advice. Since you mentioned your hours were cut after FAFSA submission, that's EXACTLY what professional judgment reviews are designed for! Make sure to: 1. Document the reduction in hours/income (pay stubs, letter from employer) 2. Calculate the projected annual income difference 3. Submit a formal appeal letter specifically requesting "professional judgment review due to income reduction" With your already negative SAI, further reduction could potentially qualify your son for increased institutional aid or additional state grants. Don't be discouraged if your first request is denied - persistence often pays off with financial aid offices.

It's usually best to call first to learn their specific process - some schools have forms while others want a letter. Mention specifically that you've had an "income reduction since FAFSA filing" and ask about their "professional judgment review process." This uses their terminology and signals you understand the system. One more option: see if your son can get on the housing waitlist for the lowest-cost dorm options. Sometimes spots open up last minute when other students decide not to attend.