<p>I was just accepted to USC and am curious about when I should be hearing about a financial package. I am also waiting to hear from Duke, Vanderbilt, Stanford, Yale and am curious about the same for those schools. Also, just because I am anxious, what will the package entail? Will it explain what I can get for loans, work/study, etc? I received what I believe is a "package" from UArizona, my in state university, outlining all of these different types of aid and am wondering if this is typical for most universities? One more question, we were told by friends that in some or many cases you can appeal your aid package. For example, my first choice is Duke. IF I were to receive a generous offer from say USC, but not Duke, I could possibly appeal to Duke using the offer from USC along with my desire to attend Duke as a tool for negotiation. Any tips on how to go about this? Or what I should expect when receiving financial info? Sorry if much of this is repeat, I've been browsing the threads and would still like some more insight. Thanks!</p>
<p>I am not sure I know what a “financial package” actually is either. One acceptance had about 2 lines about loan amounts. Others similarly, just a pathetic figure on a page, and I am dreaming that there is a generous “package” that they have yet to tell me about. So is it a big envelope full of forms?</p>
<p>A financial aid package is a piece of paper or a screen on a website that has the school’s cost of attendance and lists whatever aid the school is offering you personally. It could be a scholarship (although you may have already received a separate letter offering you the scholarship), a grant and/or loans. For example: </p>
<p>Univ ABC: tuition $34,000
Room and board: $10,000
Additional expenses: $1,000
Total costs: $45,000</p>
<p>Financial aid:
123 scholarship: $5,000
ABC grant: $2,000
Unsubsidized loans: $5,500
Total aid: $12,500</p>
<p>It may also tell you what the student is expected to earn in the summer and school year. </p>
<p>It may itemize what the parent contribution is or let you do the math. </p>
<p>But that’s what it is, in a nutshell. </p>
<p>It will also show you a way to accept/ deny each part of it-- so you can accept the scholarships and grants and turn down the loans if mom and dad have enough savings to cover it.</p>
<p>Hmmmm. So some schools send it with the acceptance letter and some later, and some just online? Does no financial package mean they are offering nothing? Or is it too early to tell without asking?</p>
<p>. One acceptance had about 2 lines about loan amounts. Others similarly, just a pathetic figure on a page, </p>
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<p>These would be your financial aid packages. For MANY students, loans are the only form of aid for which they qualify. If you have loans offered to you, you have your aid package. Bummer, I know.</p>
<p>(unless the loan info you refer to was just an explanation of loan limits - but it sounds like you were probably offered these loans)</p>