<p>I have two questions re financial aid award:</p>
<li>Transportation/Travel
Can somebody tell me how the transportation need is determined?
Do they have a set amount?
Is it supposed to pay for one round trip, or two?</li>
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<p>They chase us out of the dorm during the winter and summer.
I expect the two round trips to cost more than they gave me in the award letter. Should I approach them for adjustment?</p>
<li>Computer
Even though the computer is not a requirement, I would like to have one. Right now I almost cannot think of a life without a computer. Because of travel requirement, it has to be a laptop, and as long as I have to buy one, I would like to buy one that would last me for 4 years, at least.
(That means it will cost a bit more than an old desk top.</li>
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<p>Would it be wise to ask them for adjustment?</p>
<p>Thanks for your input.</p>
<p>lol. you will seriously ask them for an adjustment so you can buy a nice laptop? no offense, but ... well... lets just say 'good luck.'</p>
<p>No one in the right mind is going to give you an adjustment for the things you're asking for. Every student on every campus in this country would do that if they could.</p>
<p>Financial aid awards are calculated from the COA and EFC. COA is the Cost of Attendance at the school. The school adds up tuition, room and board, books, fees, and a reasonable amount for travel (as they see it). They expect you to be spartan. EFC is the Estimated Family Contribution based upon your parents and your own income and assets. The EFC is normally a shocker when families see how much they are expected to kick in. NEED is calculated as COA minus EFC. It is their money, and appeals that you need more money for trips home or a computer or anything else will not work.</p>
<p>Are you going to Brown? I beleive Brown meets 100% of EFC.
If you have extra costs that they haven't taken into consideration ( really high medical bills- support for a relative...) then they may reconsider with documentation.
Re travel costs- I have no idea really how much they allow- you pay your bills and what ever is left over you get to travel with I guess.</p>
<p>I suppose they could argue that if you needed money to go back and forth and they aren't giving enough- then you should perhaps attend somewhere closer- or heres a thought! earn your own money!</p>
<p>My daughter works every summer and puts $3,000 towards her tuition costs. During the school year her job pays about $2,000 and it covers her travel expenses, books, prescriptions etc.
You won't need a computer right away- and if you can't live without one- craigslist has good used ones for sale-
If you already have one- it is better to use it for a few more years then when you are a junior get a new one that will be powerful enough to get you through senior year and a few years on the job.</p>
<p>Thanks for your insights and ideas.</p>
<p>The job during this summer is not practical.</p>
<p>As far as the craigslist.org is concerned, thanks for the tip. It looks like I may be able to find one that fit my need without a big bill.</p>
<p>(By the way, I went to creiglist.com: I was in a hurry. What a difference an "s" makes!)</p>