FAFSA offered Pell Grant & work-study but school only gave unsubsidized loans - what happened?

This happens all the time. The FAFSA doesn't actually "give" you anything—it just shows what you *might* qualify for. Schools have their own formulas and limited funds for certain types of aid. The Pell Grant is actually the one thing that should transfer regardless of school if you qualify based on your SAI, so that's concerning. Definitely call the financial aid office and specifically ask about the Pell Grant. That's federal money that follows the student. For work-study and subsidized loans, schools have more discretion, but the Pell should be there if FAFSA said she qualifies.

my daughter had the same thing happen ladt year! the skool gave her different things than fafsa said. we talked to finacial aid office and they said something about limited work study funds and that they prioritize returning students first. but peLL should transfer so def ask about that one!!

Schools have complete discretion over most aid types except for Pell Grants. Here's what might be happening: 1. Pell Grant - This is your right if your SAI qualifies. The school cannot deny this. 2. Work-study - Schools have limited allocations and can choose who receives it. 3. Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized - Schools can adjust loan types based on their packaging policies. 4. School Grant - Many schools substitute their own grant money instead of offering the max federal loans, which can actually be better for you. I recommend calling the financial aid office specifically about the missing Pell Grant. Ask if they recalculated your need or if there was an error. The Achievement Grant may be better than federal aid anyway if it doesn't need to be repaid, but you should understand the renewal requirements.

CALL THEM IMMEDIATELY!!! Financial aid offices make mistakes ALL THE TIME. My son was eligible for $6,300 in Pell Grants according to his FAFSA, and guess what? It was completely missing from his package. I called and they had "accidentally" not included it. They fixed it but ONLY because I called. If I hadn't noticed, we would have lost out on free money. Don't assume it's normal - the Pell Grant should transfer to any school if your FAFSA says you qualify. The other stuff can vary, but not Pell.

do u have the official SAR (student aid report) from fafsa? make sure ur looking at the official eligibility and not just the estimate. sometimes the estimate when u first fill it out is different from final determination after verification

When you call the financial aid office, be prepared to wait hours to speak to someone. It's peak season and everyone's calling about their packages. I spent 4 hours on hold last week trying to resolve a similar issue. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to hold my place in line and have them call me back when an agent was available. They have a demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ. Saved me so much frustration since I didn't have to stay on hold all day. Their system got me through to a financial aid counselor who fixed my daughter's package and added back the Pell Grant that was missing.

this is definitely not normal for the Pell Grant to be missing if your SAI qualifies you. the other stuff can change but not Pell. call and be nice but persistent! also ask about the renewal requirements for the westlake achievement grant. some school grants are only for first year to entice students

hey also dont forget u can appeal the financial aid package! my nephew got an extra $3000 by writing an appeal letter and explaining their financial circumstances. some schools have official appeal forms, others want a letter. but def worth trying!

The whole financial aid system is DESIGNED TO BE CONFUSING so schools can manipulate your offers. They front-load grants freshman year then slowly replace them with loans in later years. And they count on parents not understanding the difference between types of aid. ALWAYS question your package and don't accept the first offer!

After you speak with financial aid about the Pell Grant, also ask them to explain why they offered the Westlake Achievement Grant instead of subsidized loans. This might actually be better for you! Subsidized loans still need to be repaid (just without interest while in school), but grants don't need to be repaid at all. So if the grant amount exceeds what the Pell would have been, you might be getting a better deal. Just make sure you understand the renewal criteria for future years.

Hi! I'm new to navigating financial aid and this thread has been incredibly helpful. Just wanted to add that when you call the financial aid office, it might help to have your daughter's Student Aid Report (SAR) number ready along with her student ID. Also, if you don't get a satisfactory answer from the first person you talk to, don't hesitate to ask to speak with a supervisor or financial aid counselor. Sometimes the front desk staff aren't as familiar with the nuances of federal vs. institutional aid. Good luck - it sounds like you're asking all the right questions!