When the aid does not cover the bill

Sometimes the offer leaves a gap you cannot see a way to close. There is usually more to try before turning to a private loan.

Ask for a second look

Aid offices can adjust the information behind your offer when circumstances have changed or were unusual: a job loss, a divorce, high medical bills, or a one-off payment that made last year’s income look larger than it is. This is called professional judgment, and you ask for it in writing with documents.

It is not a negotiation, and the answer is not certain, but it is a normal request and aid officers expect it.

What to do

• Ask the aid office about a professional judgment review
• Ask about a monthly payment plan
• Compare Parent PLUS terms before signing
• Cut costs before adding loans

Spread the cost

Most colleges offer a payment plan that splits a term’s bill into monthly amounts, usually for a small enrollment fee and no interest. That can be cheaper than borrowing the same money.

Parents of dependent undergraduates can apply for a federal Parent PLUS loan, which involves a credit check for adverse history. Read its terms carefully before choosing it.

The aid office can only review what it knows about, so tell it what has changed.

Lower the bill itself

Ask about cheaper housing, used or rented books, and whether some courses can be taken at a community college for transfer. A part-time job, a later start date or a different school are also real options. A private loan belongs at the end of this list, not the start.