If she is offered a loan, she can decline all or part of it. One alternative is for her to ask in the financial aid office to have some of the loan changed to Federal Work-Study, if the college has funds available. Or, she can find her own part-time job. Usually the placement office on campus can help students locate a campus job. If she finds a job, she should tell the financial aid office so that they don't continue to process her loan application.
Most colleges have an appeals mechanism.
Requests to alter a student's budget or to change an element used in the need-analysis formula may also be granted if the expense is nondiscretionary and can be documented. At most colleges, requests for more grant aid are rarely approved unless they are based on a change in the information reported. Students should speak with the financial aid office if they have concerns about their aid package. Q. My son was awarded a Federal Stafford Loan as part of his financial aid package. His award letter also indicated that we could take out a PLUS loan and could borrow from a private source to meet our expected contribution.