10 Tips for Getting More Financial Aid

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many people don't really understand that financial aid policy can be established by any given institution. some schools (i worked at one) have a policy that every student package starts with a loan. others start with free money first. colleges do not have to fund 100% of need, many don't. in reality even the poorest students will have to borrow at almost every private college, and most state colleges. in ohio where i currently live, community colleges are about the only pklace that a student has a reasonable chance of getting 100% of need met with free money. I always tell my kids in high schools that smart poor kids with good grades and test scores will get the most money. if you are a middle class or higher c student, pretty much forget it. borrow or pay cash.
The remark about the russian may be true, but over the past 30 years i have seen hundreds if not thousands of american families that play the system like a 1957 les paul.
I would be interested in hearing of how financial aid offices are handling immigrant families with mixed documentation status. this has become a big issue with me recently.

tom gallagher of OH 2:20PM June 17, 2009

I handle Special Conditions appeals and do Verifications in a Financial Aid Office. When wrong information is caught, you ask for the proper documentation and make the appropriate changes. Telling the parents they are liars and cheats does not fly in higher education. Most parents claim ignorance and apologize when they have omitted certain savings. All the tips given for more aid are good ones, but DEMANDING grants instead of Loans and Work Study, this is why FA offices are always behind in the summer, because parents listen to advice like that. It doesn't work that way folks.
The real tips for getting more aid are not exactly ethical, but they wouldn't get you thrown in jail either. The real issue is that parents used to save for college and they don't do a very good job of it anymore. The other reason is that college costs have got to slow down. It's a shame how high expenses have gotten.

Rick of NY 9:26AM June 17, 2009

All you have to do is lie. Just like the tax preparers to for there clients when they file taxes. They have one copy for the IRS and one for Financial Aid.
Do you know why this country is going broke.
Family of 4 gets
30,000 a year in social security from Russia who never a dime in the system.
20,000 year in section 8 housing
9,500 in food stamps
15,000 in pell grants 3 family members in college
4,500 in cal grants
1800 FSEOG
free books from EOPS
Free books from social workers, then they cash in sell the ones they don't need.
plus free health care,
wonder who they do it, well they have all there friend work in all these offices scanm the system for them, who wouldn't come to this country to suck it dry.
I feel so sorry for the mexicans who bust there buts in the fields. they die in the fields for what compared to white eastern block people get everythign handed to them.

dave of CA 8:16PM June 16, 2009

Financial aid for most colleges means LOANS & WORKSTUDY (a job). Most parents only consider FREE money financial aid. The real trick is choosing colleges that have a tract record of meeting need with FREE Money.
Parents need to write as soon as they can demonstrate real proof of financial difficulty. I explain the fact that you lost your job does not mean a college will give you more aid. Write the college and tell them you lost your job and are looking to replace it. If you haven’t found one in 3 months now ask for more aid.

Larry Dannenberg College Solutions.com of MA 5:27PM June 16, 2009