<p>It all depends upon the scool, and yes, some schools will tak that into account. If your mother has and is unemployed, she can be classified as a displaced worker and some consideration can be made for that. FInancial aid officers do have some professional judgement they can use in the situation. So do appeal.</p>
<p>I do know of similar situation, however, where two schools involved for two kids, would not budge. The family decided to have the kids take personal leaves of absence that year, because the cost differential was that great. They found a lot of useful things to do that year, and there were no regrets. </p>
<p>If you take off your fall semester, you can take your full student DIrect loan in the spring, by the way, which might reduce the sting a bit.</p>