<p>I just got accepted and received my financial aid package.</p>
<p>Unfortunately it is literally impossible for my parents to afford it.</p>
<p>We need at least 10K more. At least.</p>
<p>Is there anything I can do?</p>
<p>What should I say to them when I call the FinAid Office up?</p>
<p>Because if you look at our INCOME and minus EXPENSES (we have all documentation too for bills etc etc) then you're left with not much and that "not much" is planned to go to CU...</p>
<p>Sigh... I want this to work, surely there's a way right?</p>
<p>Get to work on scholarship contests...there are SO many. And if you can get into Columbia, there's a good chance you can rake up a good amount of money via contests. Working during college is also an option if you're willing, but yeah, I would first try to negotiate a bit, if they made a mistake, they'll be willing to help you.</p>
<p>I have to take roughly 30k a year in loans because they completely denied us any aid.</p>
<p>If it wasn't binding, I would've already taken a full ride at rutgers over columbia by now. I can't believe that we got absolutely nothing from them.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Apply for scholarships and take out loans. Do well in school and get a great job and you'll pay it all off in no time.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Easier said than done. Several tens of thousands of dollars in loans at the current interest rates isn't something you can "pay it all off in no time" with the types of jobs that undergrads can get.</p>
<p>Did you already submit the deposit? And you can get out of it by showing Columbia that there is no way you can pay for it. They'll try to restructure your aid package before that happens though so you might get something better.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Get to work on scholarship contests...there are SO many.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Most of them are looking for something really narrow. As a normal white male, I didn't even qualify to apply to 95% of the scholarship contests that my guidance office had in their lists.</p>
<p>i know at days on campus you can go to the fin aid office and personally discuss your fin aid problem with a counselor. I think it's from 12:30 to 2pm or something, check the welcome site.</p>
<p>i'm soo glad this year they made that <50,000 policy, or there wud've been no way for me to pay for Columbia. =)</p>
<p>
[quote]
If it wasn't binding, I would've already taken a full ride at rutgers over columbia by now. I can't believe that we got absolutely nothing from them.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>its not binding if you can't pay for it. and i dont think you have to work that hard to show that you can't pay for it</p>
<p>the way they calculate the financial aid package is that they take your family's EFC (expected family contribution) from the fafsa and subtract it from the cost of attendance. Of the remainder they then offer you the standard loans (perkins and stafford i think) and those have a certain maxiumum per year, then they offer you 2,500 in work study and then they cover the rest in grant money. They'r pretty good with financial aid like that. If you want to look up the FAFSA's equation for calculating EFC i'm sure u'll find it online somewhere and you'll be able to tell y you got such a small fin aid package.</p>
<p>So is there any point calling the FinAid Office (because I was chosen to be a GLobal SCholar too) and explaining them my condition.</p>
<p>and ibankanalyst, isnt that silly though? if i got in, they have to meet my "need"... and if my "need" isn't being fulfilled.. then its not really need-based aid is it? i'm lucky to get in considering im international asking for aid. but once im in, theres no "luck" in getting aid. its just a given since ur admitted :)</p>
<p>well thats what i think anyway, i might be wrong but im quite sure heheh</p>
<p>ibankanalyst, Columbia is not need-blind for int. applicants, but once you get in, they meet your need just as you were an US citizen. The only disadvantage is that your financial status is taken into consideration when they decide on your "fate", but that's it.</p>
<p>vesalvay, what's your income bracket? Also, how much did you ask for and how much of your income are you spending? If you, say, make 100.000 a year but decide to buy a car for 70.000, well it's kinda your own fault. Also, as a Global Scholar, they replace all your loans with grants, which they don't do for everyone, so taking 10.000 in loans doesn't sound too bad to me. If you really feel misunderstood, though, call them and show them a finaid package from some other school that you got into if they offered you more.</p>
<p>
[quote]
i know at days on campus you can go to the fin aid office and personally discuss your fin aid problem with a counselor. I think it's from 12:30 to 2pm or something, check the welcome site
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I would advise calling way before days on campus, like ASAP. Have your parents call--or call with you.</p>