My daughter is in the top 20 of her class, GPA 4.56. When we initially applied for FAFSA, she was eligible until we updated it with the 2015 taxes. In late 2014, my eldest child moved out, and I lost custody of my son in June of 2015. In other words, my family size went down from family of 4 to 2. She is well deserving child, and these events that took place is affecting her ability to go to college. Is there anything else we can do to get financial aid?
What do,you mean “she was eligible for FAFSA”? The FAFSA is a financial aid application form. It doesn’t give money out.
The oldest who moved out in 2014 would NOT have been included in your HS daughters FAFSA. You knew this 1 1/2 years ago.
When did you “initially apply the FAFSA”? If your daughter is currently a HS senior, her FAFSA would not have been available until January 2016. By that time…the family count would have already been 2…not 4.
Are you talking about the income being higher than estimated?
Yes, I agree you would have already known that the household size was 2 in beginning of 2016 when you filed FAFSA.
If your D didn’t qualify for Pell grant, does your state offer grants that might have higher income limits?
Also she would be able to take out a $5500 loan.
She can work in summers and earn a few thousand dollars.
Did she apply to any schools that would offer merit scholarships to make it affordable?
Did she apply to affordable instate schools where she might be able to commute to?
I think the issue is that the child may have qualified for a Pell grant before, but now isn’t because EFC is now over (about) 5700/
What is her EFC now??
there’s nothing you can do really. Your EFC is what it is based on your real income/tax situation. Your family is smaller, therefore it is believed that you can now afford to pay more. Your household size is now 2, rather than 4. Are you realizing any cost savings by having two less children in the home?
Did she apply to any schools that would give her large merit for her stats?
What are her test scores? What is her major and career goal?
Is she an incoming freshman? or is she a current college student who now has lost aid?
How much can you contribute each year towards her college costs?
I hope the OP clarifies. The 2016-2017 FAFSA would not have been available for completion until January 1. By that time, the OP knew that the household size was 2, not four.
What “when we first did the FAFSA” is she talking about?
Is this student going to be a first year college student this fall 2016?
This sentence is what makes me think she is currently a HS senior: