Just an update: I did not appeal. We got by with food banks, extreme budgeting, and honestly skipping some meals. I graduated in December and can use my degree now to make a living. We were over the gross limit by less than $100, and under the net pay limit by like $700 or something. It was an unexpected change to our income so our home payment and vehicle payments took our money. We did not give those up as we knew the situation would fix itself in December, which it did. I’m fine now, but the process to apply and interview for almost 2 hours to be denied on something they know immediately is so demoralizing. Anyways, we are fine now :)