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<p>Any idea what is the procedure for appealing? For example, what kind of "special circumstances" should I mention? Anything not mentioned in the financial aid application, or perhaps a better financial aid offer from another college? Anyone who has previously appealed a financial aid offer who can help?<<<</p>
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<p>We appealed Amhert's award last year (they orginally gave only about $2500 on an EFC of $28,000, but my husband's employer does pay 1/2 the tuition). Honestly, they almost laughed at us, because they pointed out that they couldn't give it based on merit. We proved that we are paying back taxes to the IRS, and they doubled the award. We have two sons in college, and the other college gives our son $10,000 in grants.</p>
<p>Amherst has got to have the most lack-lustre and indifferent financial aid office ever...I mailed it like 6 days ago asking about what happened to my FA and still no response...</p>
<p>You haven't seen anything until you've seen U of Ch! And they were even rude! Right now they are swamped - not only are new admitees sending in their stuff, but upper classmen have their stuff due by April 25! Be patient. If you are concerned, e-mail them or call.</p>
<p>I was in the FA office the other day - they were helping us with our taxes, dealing with new student, and reapplications for FA. They're very lovely there, but swamped. Give them a bit of time.</p>
<p>I received mine on Monday (after they'd contacted me around April 1st for more information) and it was very, very good...much better than the ones I've received from other colleges.</p>
<p>yes but the freshmen admittees should be give more priorities...after all we have to make our decisions very soon...how will i feel if i choose another college and then get a free ride from amherst the next day ( unlikely i know ). The point is, we have a deadline too!!!!</p>
<p>orasool i completely agree with you. I'm also an international student and amherst is one of my top choices-except I can't make a final decision without the package.
also, i got a nearly-free ride somewhere else, so i'm really desperate to know if amherst will still remain a viable option!</p>
<p>sarmiento1, call them and they will email you your FA packet if you haven't received it already. Thats what I did.</p>
<p>On the other hand, the gave me 1600 student contribution which is separate from my work-study contribution...I made it clear on ALL my forms that I don't work...these people are obviously illiterate. BAH now i'm not going to amherst!!!</p>
<p>orasool, couldn't you get a summer job to cover the student contribution? If not, you should probably speak to the FA office, because I'm sure they'll be understanding if you have a special situation.</p>
<p>orasool - EVERYONE has a student contribution. They expect you to work over the summer ($1,600 is not much at all). One time you may get it converted to a grant, or you can get it in loans or have more added to your work study, but why don't you just suck it up and get a job?</p>
<p>you mean even those who have NO assets in their name and are completely dependent on their parents are also supposed to contribute some money separate from their parents and then MORE money through work-study on campus? That is the weirdest thing i've ever heard...they could have increased my work-study if that was the case...wat was the purpose of asking money from someone who has none?</p>
<p>orasool, "these people are obviously illiterate" and some other things you say are
rather inappropriate.
I know you're nervous and just venting here. Still, I ask you to take a deep breath, realize that everyone is wrestling with issues and decisions, the people at Amherst including finaid officers are the nicest folks going.
You are not the only person with troubles this month.
Take a more respectful, community-aware tone as you communicate with the people who work on staff at Amherst, and if you go there, you will enjoy and be enjoyed so much more.
I feel free to give you this wakeup call b/c I'm an Amherst parent of a 2005 grad. We interacted with finaid office for 4 years and another college as well for a sib. Plus all the phone contacts during app processes... must be 24 diffeerent school finaid offices by now (3 tuitions, all finaid...). Trust me: some are good, some are nasty, but Amherst is the best admin tone, in terms of kindness/working hard/being swamped and coping.
S taught us this. He said his oncampus experience was that, whether it's a registrar or finaid officer or whoever, he could ALWAYS find someone to talk to in Amherst admin who would listen and help solve problems..." But he learned (in part, learned THERE, at Amherst) to approach all people with humanity, respect, no matter what their job. Whether a professor, custodian, or secretary... treat all with respect. By respect, I mean much more than surface politeness to get what you want.</p>
<p>Their job is just as hard and important as yours. </p>
<p>paying3tuitions...I'm glad you understand I am 'nervous and just venting'. Yet at the same time, you take my words to your heart. I already know the financial aid people at Amherst are one of the best if not THE best among all the colleges i was admitted to - trust me, I called and found myself face-to-face with the most efficient and helpful staff member. Thus, your taking my superficial ranting for its face value is quite unnecessary.
I haven't received my aid award from both my first and second choices, which is why I am currently in a frenzied state - with the amount of stress, I think I deserve that right. I love Amherst and I will always love that college, even if I end up matriculating somewhere else.
I assure you, I did not call any member of the staff of Amherst when I communicated with them through phone/email, 'illiterate' or other nasty things. However collegeconfidential is the only place where people understand my problems and situations, and since I have no place to rant elsewhere, I will continue to rant here ...I think it would be best if you just ignore me when I'm at my worst. Thankyou for your concern</p>
<p>You do realize that this is NOT Amherst's policy, but the federal government's guidelines that say each student is expected to work during the school year, and then earn approximately 1600 over the summer to be contributed toward their schooling. And the feds audit individual awards yearly at all schools. If the schools vary very much, there are severe repercussions. This is the policy at all schools, absent some major contributing situation. My D was able to wipe this out with outside scholarships. Have you even applied for any of those? D didn't make that much last summer, but was able to get a fellowship for this summer volunteering at a not-for-profit. However, next year, it will be impossible for her to work, since she will be at study abroad during the summer, so she will have extenuating circumstances. Welcome to the real world where everyone has to work for something. Virtually all of D's friends at all (state-elite) schools work. It's part of paying for college. They work during the summer - ALL of them - don't know of a single one who doesn't. They would like to take a break over the summer, but financially that is impossible.</p>
<p>thankyou ejr for such a detailed and enlightening response :D. The reason I assumed this was a mistake was because I currently receive a 1600 scholarship from my high school and I quoted that on my CSS Profile - the fact that the exact same amount was quoted under student contribution made me conclude that they had made a mistake by supposing that the scholarship is extendable after high school. On the other hand, Northwestern university also gave me work-study ( naturally every college gives work-study ), but they gave me $0 student contribution, only parent contribution, so i assumed again that this was the case.</p>
<p>Then go to Columbia.
It is actually better for you since you are an international.
If you want to go back to your country, Columbia degree will carry more weight.</p>