LazyAtTimes

First off, I go to CC and I applied for Financial Aid in early March (2nd FAFSA app ever). They emailed me back and told me to fill out this Supplemental Form so I got it done and mailed to them in June, I think (I know, I know.. it got lost in my email). Other than this they didn't tell me if there was anything wrong with my application or if I need any more documents than the Supp. Form. Fast forward a few months to today, I got an email saying "based on my EFC, I did not qualify for a Pell Grant."

What I don't understand is, financially, my family is basically identical to last year's. I mean, we're a little better off than last year since my dad started his small business, but it's still in its baby steps. They didn't email me about tax returns or anything, which was odd because usually they do. I mean, I didn't even get a confirmation whether or not they got my Supp. Form or not. I have a friend who goes to CSUSB which a Nurse mom and a Realtor dad and she's been accepted for a Grant for the second year in a row.

Can this decision be reversed? If yes, what do I have to do? I can go to their office in my CC but what do I say? I just think it's a little unfair considering my circumstances compared to others.. not trying to sound entitled or anything, though.

NOTE: Sorry if I sound like I'm rambling, I'm really tired and I just got off a flight. If it helps, my CC is in Orange County, CA.

Thanks!

mom2collegekids

Sounds like the fact that your dad's business did a "little better" and pushed your EFC beyond the Pell qualifications. If your EFC is now about 5000 or higher, then it's too high for Pell.

There's nothing the school can do to change that. Pell is a federal grant based solely on EFC.

dodgersmom

It's entirely possible that your father's business income rendered you ineligible for the Pell grant.

But it's also possible that there was a mistake. (Maybe they needed tax returns, but never sent you the request. Maybe someone just made a data entry error . . . you just never know.) So go to the financial aid office and ask to review your application with a financial aid officer - not the receptionist or a student intern, but an actual financial aid officer!

It may turn out that you're ineligible, in which case there's nothing they can do to change that. But it's always possible that someone made a mistake . . . and if you don't ask, you'll never know!

swimcatsmom

What is your EFC? Pell is based on EFC, so if yours is too high then they can't give you any Pell. Check your EFC and if it has jumped a lot, check that you did not make any errors.

But it is quite possible that something has changed that makes your EFC higher. One thought that comes to mind is that you may have been eligible for one of the "special" EFC calculations last year and are not this year.

The Simplified needs test requires an AGI below $50k and meeting one of the other criteria. If the AGI is still low, but you no longer meet all the criteria, then assets would be considered (one of the criteria is being eligible to file a 1040a or ez and if your dad now has a business he probably cannot file either of these)

The Automatic 0 EFC automatically sets your EFC at 0 and ignores everything but the AGI (e.g. assets are ignored and any student income is ignored). It requires an AGI below $23k which is a big reduction from last year's $31k cut off. A lot of students that were eligible last year no longer are.