<p>American was never by far my number one school but I’m still bummed it’s no longer an option because of money. I’ll be going to a school that I like just as much as American (albeit, for very different reasons) and will be perfectly fine. But there was a lot I loved about AU and I’m really disappointed they couldn’t pull through with the money.</p>
<p>Anywho, I was just wondering if anyone else had a similar experience- loved AU but got screwed over with their financial aid package.</p>
<p>I feel really bad b/c I know a bunch of kids from my school who applied to AU really wanting to experience life in DC, but who got less than desirable FA packages.</p>
<p>I actually misinterpreted the FA info online (see FA info is online thread), so I ended up getting 22k/year. But yeah, for about a week until my package arrived, I was not a happy camper. :(</p>
<p>Yea, I feel especially bad for anyone in my position who had AU as their dream school. I'm blessed to have another school that I like just as much that presents a managable financial burden. I hope everything works out for thsoe kids at your high school.</p>
<p>Actually this one girl was considering funding the majority of her COA with loans in hopes of getting a scholarship while enrolled there. I hope for her sake that she doesn't, or else she will be burdened with debt for a long, long time.</p>
<p>Yeah, i got almost no financial aid so i'm not sure if American will work out for me.</p>
<p>I got straight up boned by their Financial Aid office. We'll see how things turn out...</p>
<p>Except for the very top merit scholarship recipients, AU appears to only attempt to meet about 1/2 of your financial need (need based calculations). I SOOOOO wish we had known this BEFORE my D got her heart set on AU and DC. She is now awaiting her third attempt at admission, (she was accepted before but couldn't go)...hoping with improved GPA she might get "enough" to attend...but we doubt it.</p>
<p>We actually believe that AU is not in the league with other schools at its academic tier regarding financial aid, that there are VERY few free-rides (if any), few at even 80-90% of need. And a majority of FA packages at 45-70% of need. And way too many offers with no FA.</p>
<p>I don't think AU has enough endowment to give competative FA packages to much more than maybe the top 10-15% of the class.</p>
<p>For some it's almost unbelievable that NO financial aid is offered - at least from personal experience and CC postings - AU seems to do what is called "admit-deny" which means "you're accepted, but do not enroll here because you cannot afford it" (other schools do this too...its not secret) </p>
<p>But at least it's an acceptance, and a few students, I'm sure, will come up with creative financing from home equity or grand-mom, or huge private/plus/parent loans </p>
<p>We could have saved quite a few tears, if we had just known the financial realities of AU....it is not a good choice for the 3.40-3.80 GPA student, who REALLY can't pay what seems to be the $14K - $28K gap. </p>
<p>It's sad, there are some really good students who can't (or won't) attend AU, many I'm sure, who go to schools able to offer better FA packages. I fear the yield (students offered admission who actually attend) will even get worse as the economy gets weaker. </p>
<p>But you don't think of that when you're making the college tour circuit, you're just thinking about a happy 'match' and the 'IF you can get in' anxiety part.</p>
<p>I basically got -$ since the 3500 I got was in loans. Yeah the missed my need by about 20000 or so. oh well. It wasn't very high on my list anyway.</p>
<p>when my kids were going through this unnerving college process, never did we think any school, on any level would meet our need. the college talks at our high school, the conferences with the guidance counselors, what we read in all the college prep books all did/do say the same thing...do not apply to schools you can't attend, unless you rely on their aid. this is especially true of ED applicants. too many kids are hurt and saddened by this mismatch. most schools only offer "free rides" or large scholarship to the small number of top applicants, and/or URMs in the applicant pool.
yes, AU unfortunately doesn't yet have a huge endowment, but again i say it's a risky approach to college applications to think a school will pay for one's education, as a basis for the application.</p>
<p>American was one of my "safeties" and I thought that I would get a lot of money from it especially since I come from a really low class family (My expected family contribution is only $800) and after my financial aid package I would still need to pay $20000 a year! Wayyyyy too much. Luckily I'm still waiting on six schools...</p>
<p>i got a pretty good aid package--when I worked out the numbers, it turns out it'd be cheaper to go to AU than it would be at University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA...and i'm from Hawaii..ahh I think it was the Hawaii factor that played a major roll in my aid package.</p>
<p>$20,000 seems to be the magic number for cash to attend</p>
<p>has anyone SUCCESSFULLY negotiated for more FA?</p>
<p>^^
Have NO experience with 'bargaining' for merit aid. ...however...</p>
<p>We tried last year with a formal appeal and were successful with a small need based grant, and then with more follow-up requests - received an additional unsubsidized loan. </p>
<p>Hints
Make SURE you have made available to you all of the federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans BEFORE being referred to private or plus loans, I don't know why our federal opportunities were missed considering the huge gap.</p>
<p>They get defensive very quickly, yet If you make any phone calls, ask the name of the financial counsellor you are speaking to. I really had to seach to find the name and e-mail of the director of financial aid, but he helped.</p>
<p>It's worth the try if your with 1K - 5K of being able to attend.</p>
<p>I am trying to appeal my financial aid...the woman I spoke to did get very defensive. Thanks for the tip ahoo2u, I really need a better package.</p>
<p>i called and get an additional 2000 work study</p>
<p>nice to hear, ecapp! :)</p>