Why is USC so stingy?

Hi!!

I recently appealed my financial aid that wanted me to pay 41k about a month ago and I only got 2k (now I have to pay 39k) from my appeal. I want to appeal again because my custodial parent is the one paying not my noncustodial, who I said didn’t have contact with but they are still taking them into consideration so my EFC jumped really high.

Do any of you who successfully appealed have advice on what to do?

Thank you ❤️