<p>the university I was accepted to offered me a Parent PLUS loan. My dad recently had a stroke and now someone else is in control of his money. I don’t think this person would think my dad taking out a loan for me would be a great idea. Especially since he doesn’t understand anything you tell him anymore.</p>
<p>What should I do?</p>
<p>Not sure how your dad can sign for a loan when he is not competent to make his own financial decisions? Who is the person who controls the money? Is it a trustee? Does he or she have the power to even take loans on behalf of your father? Remember the PLUS loan needs an authorized signature.</p>
<p>Talk to the school and see what they can do. Tell them you cannot get a PLUS loan? What is your fall back if that does not work out.</p>
<p>My aunt is the person who is is representative payee. She’s been his payee for the past 20 years since he was disabled before the stroke. She doesn’t have power of attorney if that’s what you mean by the power to sign off loans.
This school is my fall back school. The other schools offered me more loans than grants.</p>
<p>If she does not have a power of attorney and you father is incapacitated, no lender will give you a loan. After all your father has to guarantee the loan with his signature and agrees that bank can go after his assets if he does not pay up. How would the bank give you a loan? What about your mother? A representative payee can receive benefits and disburse them, they do not have the authority to incur obligations on behalf of the person they represent. Are there assets that the payee will be willing to give for your education. You need to seriously look at other options. Call the college and tell them that PLUS loans are not an option.</p>
<p>Specifically, if it is Social Security Disability money (or any Social Security Benefit) the representative payee may ONLY use the money for the direct benefit of the recipient.</p>
<p>ZGA, I would think twice and hard about that PLUS loan if your father is incapacitated. God forbid his health seriously deteriorate more and create mounting debt. If somehow he is able to add his signature to the document he will be liable if he defaults on that loan then the lending institution could garnish his wages. Do you have another option, such as work study or perhaps you could sacrifice a bit of time to work off campus. But from what you said your aunt can’t sign and your dad is unable to. Its a sticky situation and you need the aid to cover tuition, But talk to the University financial aid office. You might be able to negotiate a better aid package if you you explain your entire situation to them. You will have to write a Financial Aid appeal letter to them. You can view a pdf sample here at how to write an effective appeal letter. <a href=“http://www.teenclassifieds.net/uploads/pdf/financial-aid-appeal-sample-letter.pdf[/url]”>http://www.teenclassifieds.net/uploads/pdf/financial-aid-appeal-sample-letter.pdf</a></p>
<p>They you have a good chance of getting a better package if you outline your entire situation including proof of your father’s condition.</p>
<p>I would definitely call your financial aid office and ask what is your best course of action. I would definitely call if the stroke and the care happened AFTER you submitted your FAFSA and/or CSS. I think I would call before any letter writing and ask to speak with an actual financial aid office - not the person who answers the phone. You could use some advice and help on how to take care of your college financing. If they need something in writing after your phone conversation you will know or be able to glean that I think. Is there a mom in the house, or did you live just with your dad?</p>