Additional Financial aid

[ajdre]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I was wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to receive additional financial aid beyond your school's estimated cost of attendance. I've been awarded Stafford loans and grad plus loans totaling Ohio State's estimated cost of attendence, but I think I may need more. My wife and I would like to have a child, and the awarded amount won't cover our combined expenses if she is staying at home with the baby. If we have to wait to have kids, I still would need about another $4000 to allow us to keep my car while I'm in school. I don't know what options if any I would have to receive more, since federal loans are reduced if you're receiving aid from elsewhere. Any input would be great, thanks

 

[RunningDiva]

I was wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to receive additional financial aid beyond your school's estimated cost of attendance. I've been awarded Stafford loans and grad plus loans totaling Ohio State's estimated cost of attendence, but I think I may need more. My wife and I would like to have a child, and the awarded amount won't cover our combined expenses if she is staying at home with the baby. If we have to wait to have kids, I still would need about another $4000 to allow us to keep my car while I'm in school. I don't know what options if any I would have to receive more, since federal loans are reduced if you're receiving aid from elsewhere. Any input would be great, thanks

Talk to the financial aid office at the school. Generally, the school won't award more aid than is needed. In some cases, the awarded aid even falls short of the COA. I wouldn't be surprised, though, if they can make exceptions for families (to be, even).

 

[red10]

if your school can't give you more money then private loans may be your only option as much as that sucks.

babies are ridiculously expensive, so good luck with that

 

[psipsina]

Some schools will increase the COA for dependent children to be taken into account. How much they will increase is entirely up to them of course.

 

[gadad]

...

 

[ThaliaNox]

I was wondering if anyone knows if it's possible to receive additional financial aid beyond your school's estimated cost of attendance. I've been awarded Stafford loans and grad plus loans totaling Ohio State's estimated cost of attendence, but I think I may need more. My wife and I would like to have a child, and the awarded amount won't cover our combined expenses if she is staying at home with the baby. If we have to wait to have kids, I still would need about another $4000 to allow us to keep my car while I'm in school. I don't know what options if any I would have to receive more, since federal loans are reduced if you're receiving aid from elsewhere. Any input would be great, thanks

It is very uncommon for schools to increase your aide beyond your COA except in very specific cases, even for students with children. For example, children's healthcare and living expenses are not factored in, but daycare is. However, by living frugally it is possible to support yourself and a spouse on your financial aide. I could fund mine and my husband's expenses out of my aide. (We're working on this now so we can get pregnant and he can stay home!) There are sacrifices, though. We only have one car. We live in a cheaper apartment building than many of my classmates. We don't eat out much. If you want to have a child and your wife wants to stay home, you'll find a way to make it work.

Just so you know, telling your school you need an extra 4000 to keep your car isn't going to fly.

 

[TMP-SMX]

The only answer is to talk to the financial aid office about your situation. Planning on having a child isn't going to get you more money. At least 9 months away right? Having real daycare expenses will get you more money and most offices have forms for you to fill out for that. Of course having a child go to daycare rather than home is not ideal but that's the situation. Ask your financial aid office and see what you can do.

 

[GoSpursGo]

Please don't post the same thread in multiple places. I've merged your threads from pre-allo and Financial Aid into one thread.

 

[EMber13]

Sent you a PM.