Before reducing campus-based aid due to over-need, what must be checked?

Before reducing campus-based aid due to over-need, what must be checked?

• A. Do nothing
• B. Recalculate need and compare to original award
• C. Increase other aid
• D. Immediately reduce aid

Answer: (B)

The main idea is to verify the student’s current need before making any adjustments to campus-based aid. Demonstrated need is calculated as the cost of attendance minus the expected family contribution. Campus-based aid is designed to meet unmet need within policy limits, so before reducing any award you must recompute the student’s need using the latest data (COA and EFC) and then compare that recalculated need to what was originally awarded. If the recalculated need is lower, you adjust the award to align with the new need; if it’s higher, you review the package to see if changes in other aid or circumstances affect the total. Doing nothing ignores updated information, and changing other aid or reducing immediately without re-evaluating could lead to improper packaging.

The main idea is to verify the student’s current need before making any adjustments to campus-based aid. Demonstrated need is calculated as the cost of attendance minus the expected family contribution. Campus-based aid is designed to meet unmet need within policy limits, so before reducing any award you must recompute the student’s need using the latest data (COA and EFC) and then compare that recalculated need to what was originally awarded. If the recalculated need is lower, you adjust the award to align with the new need; if it’s higher, you review the package to see if changes in other aid or circumstances affect the total. Doing nothing ignores updated information, and changing other aid or reducing immediately without re-evaluating could lead to improper packaging.