If the Syracuse NPC says our net price is $15k and my son is awarded the Chancellors scholarship ($15k) for merit, would that merit money cover the net price and we pay zero?
Sorry this is so basic, I just want to make sure I understand how this works.
No, even at ‘meets full needs’ schools, the family is almost always expected to pay the EFC. Exceptions are full ride scholarships (athletic, science).
Sorry, I forgot to mention our EFC is zero (0).
But the NPC was $15k? It would seem that the scholarship was figured in that figure as were the Pell, and maybe some of the loans.
The Syracuse NPC only asks questions pertaining to need (income, number in household, assets, etc) - no questions pertaining to merit (test scores, GPA). That’s why I asked if merit was stacked separately. Maybe I missed it and merit money was included, but I didn’t see it.
This is from the NPC results. Would the any merit aid be included here?
Estimated Grant/Gift Aid
Estimated Federal Pell Grant $ 5920
State and Federal Grants $ 1000
Syracuse University Grant $ 40200
Syracuse University Additional Grant $ 8400
Estimated Total Grant/Gift Aid $ 55520
“Your net price is the estimated cost of attendance less any grants and scholarships (“free money”) that you receive. Keep in mind your overall cost may be lower after outside scholarships, student loans, and work opportunities (if eligible) are applied.“
This is the exact text from the info bubble (small blue i) next to the estimated total grant line item. The fact that it says “grants and scholarships” leads me to believe you’re correct - that merit money is included. I just don’t see how they’d gauge that without asking academic stats.
I’ll give the FA office a call tomorrow.
I spoke with the Syracuse FA office. They confirmed that the NPC does not include merit aid. Any merit money would be stacked, but they didn’t confirm the validity of my scenario above (15k net price - 15k merit = 0 cost). They didn’t deny it would be true, they just said they weren’t sure “how it worked”.
Can any CC experts help?
Here is your question…does Syracuse stack all types of aid UP TO the amount of the net cost to the family.
OR does Syracuse stack aid so that the family doesn’t have to pay their net cost?
Yes, thats the question I’m trying to ask 
Thanks @thumper1
I’m certain the answer is determined on a case by case basis.
I’m re-asking a financial aid question that I previously posted in the Syracuse forum.
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/syracuse-university/2042471-basic-fa-question.html#latest
Since the Syracuse NPC doesn’t include merit money, my two questions:
I spoke with the Syracuse FA office. They confirmed that the NPC does not include merit aid. Any merit money would be stacked, but they didn’t confirm the validity of my scenario above (15k net price - 15k merit = 0 cost). They didn’t deny it would be true, they just said they weren’t sure “how it worked”.
I know schools define need differently. If anyone has insight into Syracuse specifically, that would help.
Sorry for asking such a basic question. I’m still learning how FA works.
@romns116 To answer your question, typically the net price calculator will be a fairly accurate estimate of what your out of pocket cost will be, even though it does not include merit aid. I was in a similar situation, the npc estimated i would have to pay 29k a year out of pocket, I was awarded a $20k scholarship and was still expected to pay $29k a year. Typically they will reduce the amount of grant aid indicated on the NPC by the amount of your scholarship.
Thanks @Prospective20
This is very helpful! Was this at Syracuse?
@romns116 Yes, I’m currently a sophomore.