Chump change in subsidized loan

Paying for College
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<p>My son, who will be attending a public university, received $153 in subsidized Stafford, and $5K in unsubsidized Stafford.</p>

<p>I understand the subsidized loan is based on financial need, while the unsubsidized isn’t. Fortunately, we can pay for his attendance, but the amount of $153 is kind of a joke. I suppose their formula had us coming up that much short for cost of attendance.</p>

<p>He received a significantly higher subsidized loan offer from another public with a higher cost of attendance, which he won’t attend, but we were thinking he could accept the subsidized loan since the interest doesn’t accrue until after he graduates–and we could earn interest on money that wasn’t coming out of our pocket. We see the point of a loan with interest accruing right away.</p>

<p>My question: any chance of getting more subsidized loan without a chance in financial situation?</p>

<p>That said, if I were religious I’d say we were blessed that this is more of an academic problem than a real one for us.</p>

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<p>If your EFC is correct, I think the only way you’d get a higher subs loan amount is to petition for a change in COA…high transportation expenses or another factor may be considered. May not be worth the effort it takes though!</p>