<p>I am a senior sociology major/ pre-law studies minor at the University of Arizona. I pay out of state tuition and have made it thus far without any student loans (I guess I am lucky). I have a 3.8 GPA, just got into a very selective senior honorary on campus (approximately 30 members are admitted out of the entire senior class), I am in the AKD (sociology honor society), work on campus during the year (sorority house), and have had a paid internship at a law office at home the past 2 summers. I also mentor Native American students and do other types of volunteer work yada yada yada... </p>
<p>I am currently freaking about how I am going to pay for my school next year. I have heard of instances where students are able to "bargain" with financial aid offices in order to get more aid. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this...</p>
<p>I was also wondering if it could work for current students rather than freshman. I figure I have proven my academic worth so the least they could do is help me stay around right? I am a year away and I am finishing no matter what, just want to make it less painful because I know law school loans will destroy me. </p>
<p>This is my first post. Be nice :)</p>
<p>You sound like a great candidate for departmental scholarships, at the very least! It may be a little late though…I’m guessing most have been awarded for next year by now. Do you have an advisor/mentor at the college that you can contact? Check with AKD as well.</p>
<p>It seems hard to say, not knowing what has changed about your finances, why you are freaking now but (presumably) didn’t before (maybe your savings have simply been depleted). Borrowing 10% of undergrad costs is normal and expected at some schools for those receiving aid. Schools do want to keep their graduation rates up, and appeals are often successful.</p>
<p>Actually, you’d be in a lot better position as an incoming freshman. They want to get the freshmen in the door, they know a senior isn’t going anywhere.</p>
<p>I agree with SK8mom. I don’t know if Financial Aid can help you if you don’t have the need. Bargaining is hardly something you can do since you are the one who really needs to stay at the school. As Redroses said, most of the money goes to freshman for recruiting purposes.</p>
<p>Well the thing is I do have the need. I am supported by a single parent who divorced for the second time last year. I qualify for federal grants and have managed to scrape by so far, but they just increased tuition on me and I feel like they are going to reduce my financial aid for the coming year (they have yet to announce it). The president of our university himself stated that to cope with increased tuition expenses students should just take out more student loans… but I am so close to the end that I feel like it would be pointless to do so. </p>
<p>The sociology department, although very good, is very underfunded. Little money can be found there. </p>
<p>Knowing that I owe someone over 1000 dollars would stress me out more than school itself… I don’t know how other people do it, but I don’t feel like it would be best for me. I will continue to save money and hope for the best. Worst comes to worst I will live out of my car for a year… Maybe I will write them a letter explaining my situation. </p>
<p>Thanks all.</p>
<p>Don’t expect much sympathy from the school if you’re unwilling to invest in a small loan which you could easily pay back quickly because of earning a degree. You’ll have years to pay back such a small amount. If you can get by without a loan, fine, but please don’t let the issue limit your future. :)</p>