FAFSA aid package only $6000 for son's senior year - impossible to make up $31K income gap

This sounds like a situation that absolutely calls for a special circumstances appeal. Schools have discretion to adjust aid packages when there are extenuating circumstances. With your income level and the dramatic change in aid amount, you have good grounds for an appeal. First, contact the financial aid office immediately to request a special circumstances form. Document EVERYTHING - your income, expenses, any unusual costs this year. The fact that it's his senior year works in your favor since they've already invested in his education for three years. Did your tax information change significantly between last year's FAFSA and this year's?

same thing happened to my daughter last yr. turned out they had counted her summer job earnings TWICE somehow in the calculation. definintely call and ask them to explain exactly how they came up with the SAI score!!

I work in financial aid (not at your son's school) and can offer some perspective. The most common issues I see in situations like yours: 1. Income from student jobs being miscalculated or counted twice 2. One-time retirement withdrawals or distributions being counted as recurring income 3. Changes in household size or number in college affecting the calculation 4. Incorrectly reported assets or investments File a formal appeal immediately and specifically request a "Professional Judgment Review" based on special circumstances and the fact that this is his final year. Emphasize his academic performance and the previous years of investment. Also ask if there are any institutional or departmental scholarships he can apply for - many have deadlines but exceptions are often made for students in good standing with financial need.

they just dont care about us working parents!!!! my son got barely any aid too and hes gotta drop out now after 2 years. these colleges just want rich kids, not hard workers. system is BROKEN!!!!

Definitely call the financial aid office ASAP! I had this exact problem last semester and it was literally just a data entry error! Someone put my income in twice. Took 15 min to fix once I actually talked to someone (though getting through to a human took forever lol).

Update: I finally got through to financial aid this morning! The woman I spoke with was actually really helpful. Turns out they DID count my retirement withdrawal as regular income (the $4k I mentioned) AND there was confusion about my son's campus job earnings. They're having me submit a Special Circumstances form and said there's a good chance they can adjust his package since it's his senior year. I'm feeling a little more hopeful now!!

what about parent plus loans? thats what we had to do for my sons last year. sucks to take on debt but at least he graduated

my nephew was in this exact situation!!! he applied for like 20 private scholarships specifically for seniors and ended up getting enough to cover most of what fafsa wouldnt. try looking at fastweb and also check with your sons specific department at school - sometimes they have emergency funds for students about to graduate.

One thing no one has mentioned is that your son should immediately schedule an appointment with both financial aid AND the Dean of Students office. The Dean often has discretionary emergency funds specifically designed for students at risk of not completing their degree due to financial hardship. Since this is his senior year, they have a vested interest in seeing him graduate (it affects their completion rate statistics). Have him prepare a brief one-page summary of his academic achievements, campus involvement, and career plans to bring to these meetings. This approach, combined with your formal appeal, maximizes your chances for additional assistance.