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[Drew Noble]

I'm a student at California State University, Long Beach. For the past
three years I have declared myself as a dependent and always received
Cal Grant A for my tuition.
This year, when I checked on my financial aid, I saw that I only
received the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. I went to the Financial Aid
office and a man there told me that my parents and I together made
64,400 last year. The cut-off for receiving Cal Grant A is 64,000. He
told me the cut-off is made for the entire state and doesn't factor in
the city that you live in. I think Los Angeles is one of the most
expensive cities to live in the state. I don't quite understand this.
I work my butt off at at my job, but if I had just worked a little less
I would have made $3,000 more?! Shouldn't they just give me $400 less?
Also, they don't take into account the fact that my dad spent $15,000
on a credential program that he has to be a part of in order to keep
his job teaching inner-city children. This makes his taxable income
much, much lower than his annual gross income. Someone please explain
how this works to me. The whole thing is making me really depressed.
We're not trying to screw the system. We work really hard and still
barely get by. I believe I am an excellent candidate for the cal grant.
Is there any way around this while still being honest?

Thanks for your input.
Drew