You can file an appeal with Financial Aid. You’ll have to submit copies of your mother’s taxes and a letter explaining why you won’t get any money from your step-dad. My S first year my husband was laid off the day after we submitted our financial data. We filed an appeal. Money dribbled in from various places to help cover the year. I can’t promise this will happen for you, but at least call Financial Aid and talk to them. We accepted some federal loans, too. The subsidized are worth it.