<p>Hey y’all?</p>
<p>Do you think sending a copy of my dh’s pink slip that he received this morning to the various schools would be sufficient to encourage a reconsideration of our financial status? ~berurah</p>
<p>Oh no…was that expected? If not, I am so sorry. By all means contact the schools ASAP!</p>
<p>I’m sorry to hear that – don’t just send the slip. Call the schools ASAP and speak to the Financial Aid honcho. Explain the situation and ask the procedure to amend your financial aid application.</p>
<p>voronwe and lderochi,</p>
<p>Thanks for the kind thoughts. Actually, it WAS expected, but it is a bit unnerving to actually have it in hand :(. His entire company has been sold, so the original company has issued the pink slips to all employees (or most, as of today). Then, supposedly, many will be picked right back up by the new company. But, of course, that is not a sure thing, even though things look O.K. for my husband, given the progam that he is on. The point I’d like to make to the schools is this…NOTHING in our immediate future is certain, and our financial status may be vastly different than what was indicated on the FAFSA and various school forms.</p>
<p>~berurah</p>
<p>Berurah:</p>
<p>I am so sorry to hear about this! I agree that you should call and email (so that there is a record) ASAP to ask to amend your FAFSA. This is a very busy time for a lot of schools, so leave a paper trail as you may not be able to talk to the same person consistently.</p>
<p>I’m so sorry, Berurah–what a difficult and stressful time this must be for your family.</p>
<p>As I recall, your husband was aware that his company was on the brink of a sale, and had taken on extra work in anticipation–which had the unintended consequence of reducing your family’s eligibility for financial aid. I would definitely call or write all the schools immediately to explain the whole situation–from last year’s unusual jump in income to the current news. While I bow to other posters’ expertise in these matters, it’s hard to imagine that this wouldn’t make a difference in most schools’ evaluation of your son’s financial aid application.</p>
<p>Good luck, and again, I’m truly sorry that your family has to go through this.</p>
<p>marite,</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestion. I definitely like your idea of the paper trail. I hadn’t given that much thought to it yet, given the <em>new</em> nature of the development. Even though everyone knew that it was coming “sometime”, the notification was given only two days ago or so. I will do as you so wisely suggested. ~berurah</p>
<p>Hi Berurah,</p>
<p>Nothing new to add to the advice department as my advice has already been given. I am sorry to hear this. I believe in a just when one door closes, a window opens so get ready for the new opportunities to come blowing in.</p>
<p>editrix,</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your support! You are right in that our company has been “on the auction block” for some time now. But, it is such a large company and the prospect of selling it so complex that many of us here never really thought it would happen. Denial?? 
</p>
<p>My husband’s extra job was only temporary, so we no longer have that little advantage (which, unfortunately, caused a HUGE disadvantage on the FAFSA, as some of you remember). </p>
<p>I am convinced that I need to speak to the financial aid offices at all of the schools immediately.</p>
<p>Thanks for you concern. I’ll try to email soon, O.K.? </p>
<p>~berurah</p>
<p>sybbie,</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the words of hope. I just hope it is a really BIG and grand window!! :)</p>
<p>We just have so much on our plates right now, with our very first graduation upcoming 
and the college decisions pending. It is very stressful right now…</p>
<p>I really appreciate your support!</p>
<p>~berurah</p>
<p>Berurah, so sorry to hear that it happened today. You are going to have to be one strong mommy, sending out positive vibes to the whole family, as you all work through the uncertainty.</p>
<p>I have great hope in all the schools stepping forward here and re-working the F/A. I am rooting for you.</p>
<p>Ouch! :(</p>
<p>Big hugs to you and yours, B…</p>
<p>B–do we have acceptances in hand? So many schools are reporting admit decisions in the next couple of weeks. Maybe you’ll only have to talk to the ones that accept your child (that would cut down on the work). And maybe by then you’ll know whether your H is rehired.</p>
<p>Oh, sorry, forgot–especially big hugs from us. . .</p>
<p>I wish I had expertise, but can only say, good luck, merde, break a leg, and we in CA will do whatever old hippie rites we can think of to bring good fortune.</p>
<p>That’s a shame to hear that. The same happened to me, but until it makes a big economic difference, it won’t change the aid (or at least that’s the story I got). The ASSUMPTION is that a new job is not far away. Whether that’s a good assumption or not can only be told with time. If, in six months, he is still unemployed (or he takes a job for significantly less pay), then there is a case. But it certainly does not hurt to check with each individual school. But you must do it quickly. Financial Aid for a school is usually a set amount and when that’s all distributed, it won’t matter how needy you are.</p>
<p>I am so sorry to hear about your husband’s job. Yes, in many cases, letting colleges know about such situations will cause them to reevaluate students’ aid packages.</p>
<p>So sorry Berurah! Such is the way of today’s business world…could have been any one of us!</p>
<p>Let us know how the fin aid works out…this is sure to repeat on CC.</p>
<p>berurah,</p>
<p>Don’t forget that in some cases the alumni interviewers who have met your son can help get you fast-tracked to a human being in Fin Aid (if you are reaching a bunch of voicemails.) I second the email suggestion, for a paper trail. </p>
<p>My heart goes out to you. This is a big stress at a bad time. I am sure it will pass, and it will get solved; just put one foot in front of the other and breathe.</p>
<p>I am sorry, too, Berurah. It seems that when it rains, it pours. I know that some sunnier days are ahead too, however. Do let the colleges know the situations. You will find that a number of them will be able to help out. I also feel that your son is very likely to get some nice merit awards which will not depend on that fickle FAFSA and other financial aid forms. Those who have their own businesses or who have cyclical type jobs have a heck of a time with financial aid. I know this has been a rocky road for you and your family, Berurah, but since he is your first one to go through this process, what a learning experience this has been! You will see first hand what schools are flexible with financial aid, generous with merit aid, and this will be of immense importance when you work with your other kids’ apps. Though you can read and hear anecdotes, when you live it, is when you truly believe it. My thoughts are with all of you, and if I ever find myself in Kansas, well, I’ll let you know.</p>