My school didn't give me a pell grant even though I qualified, what to do?

Question

My school's financial aid office went in and changed my fafsa so that $10,000 which shouldn't have counted as income did count (it was Americorp money), putting me above the efc line for the pell grant.

Anyway, I called in, and they didn't deny that they were wrong, but just said that it would end up not mattering anyway on my total financial aid because if I did get it, they'd take away something else. I'm suspicious of whether that's actually true, but I don't know what to do...

I don't want to make the financial aid people hate me by being a pain about it, I've still got two more years at this school. On the other hand, I was depending on the pell grant and then another merit scholarship that I will get if I qualify for the pell grant.

Answer 1

You only have to see the FA people once a semester.  I'd contact them *in person* about the issue and ask them to put your situation in writing so you can take it up with the Dean of Admissions and have him/her help you figure out this mess.  They'll either comply, or you'll get help.

Answer 2

This is highly unusual... it's the first I've heard of a school's financial office changing someone's FAFSA.  Whatever that Americorp money is, if it's money you had, it has to be claimed (not necessarily as income, but as an asset).  Regardless of what they say, I think you have a duty to see to it that FAFSA gets accurate information.  Perhaps you will need to resubmit paperwork.  I strongly recommend, perhaps with your parents or attorney present, that steps be taken to work together with your school's financial aid office in resolving this matter right away.  Try to be polite at all times... you'll be working with these people for four years.

Answer 3

Never depend on money you don't have in your pocket.  Your Pell eligibility is re-determined every year and many folks will get it one year and not the next (or vice versa).  Be thankful you had free money to pay for school and keep in mind the financial aid has the right to correct your fafsa and recalculate your award if they see fit.