Can I be reconsidered for financial aid?

spanky12
Tue, 05 Jun 2012 22:56:36 +0000

I will be attending a top liberal arts college next year, and did not initially apply for financial aid. My family has run into some financial difficulties starting a few months ago, and I don’t feel that it is fair to ask my parents to pay for my education, even though they are willing to. My guidance misinformed my family by telling us that we would receive no financial aid, and that I shouldn’t waste my time filling out the FASFA. After doing some research, I’ve come to the conclusion that I would have likely received AT LEAST 15K in aid (my school is need blind), due to my family’s high living expenses (2 other kids in college) and our relatively low savings.
In retrospect, I obviously wish that I wouldn’t have mindlessly listened to my counselor and gotten a second opinion regarding financing my education. Is there a way to request financial aid this late in the game? I already have a job, but its salary doesn’t come anywhere near the ~$55K/yr that I need.
I know taking a gap year to work and save up money is another option. Does anyone have any advice as to whether or not this is a good idea? Any other ways I can go to college without bleeding my parents dry or taking on a huge amount of debt so early in my life?
Thanks!