<p>I am so sorry you are in this position, hugs to you and your daughter, as this really stinks! As far as the FA, I would think that $108,000 in non-retirement savings would be enough to skew the numbers, especially with an efc of around 5k. It appears that they are expecting you to utilize your savings to finanace your daughter’s education. I have a friend whose husband’s income dropped significantly in 2009, like 35%. Their fin aid award was much lower than they expected and much more than they could afford. When they she talked to the school (private) about the award, they pointed to their home equity, which she estimates to be about $100k. Son is in top 5% of his class, excellent ECs, etc, and this is his dream school. They are just sick about all this.</p>
<p>As far as NLI, I know that the athletic director of the school can release your daughter and I would appeal to him/her immediately, may be able to help ith FA, may not. But I think the sooner the coach and AD are aware of the situation, and the impossibility of the financial end of things, the better for you and your daughter. Best of luck with all of this.</p>