Made Good Money Prior to University Full Time, How Long Until I Can Re-Apply for Grants?

Paying for College
1

Hello everyone, I’m 21 and go to University full time for electrical engineering and mathematics. Long story short, I started college 1.5 years late due to moving just after graduating high school, and got a job as a salesman in the meantime. I did unexpectedly well and made almost $60,000/yr as a salesman, but once I gained residency, I got an alternative part time job so I could attend university full time(12-17 credits per semester).

I had grants my first 2 semesters of college, but now that its going off of my most recent tax return with that job on there, I get literally nothing. I don’t know what to do and I think I can deal with one semester in this situation (I have decent savings), but cannot pay for a full year of school out of pocket. Does anyone know if I can re-apply after 1 semester to prove I only made money for practically 1 year prior to school starting? Any input is appreciated.

P.S. I have perfect grades and am in advanced classes, but don’t really qualify for many scholarships (white male)

2

You need to talk to your college financial aid office. Sometimes the reduction in income will be considered. Explain what your current income is vs your income in 2016.

They will tell you what to do.

3

Run a search for “Special Circumstances” in the financial aid section of your university’s website. That will get you to the forms you will need to discuss with the financial aid office.

Since you are still a financial aid dependent of your parents, take another good long look at your FAFSA. Depending on your parents’ financial situation, there are certain situations when your income would be ignored.