Any shot of an appeal letter working..?

Paying for College
1

<p>Scenario: College costs $62,000 a year to attend.</p>

<p>EFC comes out to 10,500 . College offers $50,000 in grants and a $1500 work study to meet demonstrated need.</p>

<p>As it stands, my family does not even qualify to take out the remaining amount in loans (even after a student loan). We are in some decent debt, and also have withstanding loans from tuition of another brother. There is a chance we could scrape the funds together for year one (would involve refinancing our house, again), but subsequent years and grad school would just be impossible.</p>

<p>I feel pretty guilty asking for more, but I'm going to send an appeal regardless, as I will be unable to attend without more aid so I might as well try. </p>

<p>What are your thoughts- Is there really any chance I'll be able to squeeze a little more out of them in this scenario? </p>

<p>Side Q, is it appropriate to name the other schools I have received better offers from the in letter or is that bad form?</p>

<p>Extra reading:
For my appeal letter, tactics I'm using include describing my financial situation with more detail, providing academic updates, making somewhat emotional argument about being a financial burden on my family/brothers who have aspirations of their own, claiming my adoration for the school, wagering scholarships at other schools, etc. I will make sure to be extremely gracious, as the aid they have already given me is pretty incredible.</p>

2

<p>Just appeal.</p>

3

<p>The total COA is $62k and your portion (without student loans) is 10,500.</p>

<p>You can borrow 5500. Your parents could request a Plus loan, if they are denied, then you are allowed to borrow 4000 more. So, that could be 9500 right there if your parents are denied. If they’re not denied, then they can borrow they entire 10,500 if they want…or they can borrow less if they want.</p>

<p>You can also work a summer job to bring in a few thousand. You can also work part-time thru the school year if needed for spending money.</p>

<p>I think this is Vandy, right?</p>

<p>Their COA breakdown includes books, travel, and personal expenses, right? Well, you can reduce costs there. </p>

<p>You can try appealing, but Vandy has already been very generous to you. they’re giving you $50k in grants. Schools do expect a little “self-help”, so they are probably expecting you to work a bit over the summer to contribute. </p>

<p>If I remember correctly, your family has a decent income (like 6 figures). It’s not really reasonable to expect the school to give more money. Schools don’t care about debt, unless it’s medical debt. One of the benefit when schools don’t put loans in their FA packages is that a student can still take out a student loan of $5500 to put towards family contribution. </p>

<p>Also, keep in mind that when your sibling graduates, your family contribution will go up. </p>

<p>You can try an appeal, but in the meantime, you need to have Plan B going…getting a summer job, having parents apply for Plus loan, requesting a student loan (you can do this last part after they decline to increase), etc.</p>