<p>I'm a senior in high school who's applied to a few schools that cost a lot of money (don't worry, I have safeties; I simply have a soft spot for small private east coast liberal arts schools that seem to have a soft spot for money). I was hoping for quality financial aid, but, judging by the $23,000 gap Bennington left me, that's unlikely. </p>
<p>They did, however, say to talk to the financial aid office to try to reach a deal mutually acceptable. So my question is, and I ask generally, not just regarding Bennington, has anyone had luck with contacting the financial aid office? Any substantial differences in package before and after?</p>
<p>Bennington is not a school that meets 100% demonstrated need.</p>
<p>The best that you can do is to ask the school for a financial review. Have you had a change of circumstance since you submitted your financial aid paperwork that you now need to make the school aware of?</p>
<p>How much of your direct costs (tuition, room, board fees) does your FA package cover (back out monies from work study).</p>
<p>About the only times colleges will consider reviewing a FA package are when there are extenuating circumstances (eg. large medical expenses, loss of a job, etc.) or if you have a more generous package from a peer or higher school.</p>
<p>If they said you should talk to the financial aid office to try to reach a mutually acceptable deal, that sounds like an invitation to me. If you don’t contact them, nothing will change. So if you’d like to go there, do it!</p>
<p>The school added a work study award and a Perkins loan to her financial aid package. However that was really terrific for her…especially the work study. Don’t ask me how she got a Perkins…and we did question it…but they gave it to her.</p>
<p>Bennington is the kind of school where it may very well be wise to talk to the financial aid department. A state school will look at your info & make adjustments if you entered info wrong … but a private school can make changes to your award package in terms of institutional aid. I am not saying they will, I am just saying that it is absolutely worth your time.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. I will certainly talk to the department at Bennington and others. Should I do it over email or telephone, and should I make the call or should my parents?</p>
<p>In my opinion you need to go into the conversation knowing exactly what your family can afford. If a couple thousand dollars will make the difference you stand a much better chance than if you are looking for 5,000 or more. When you talk about a $23,000 “gap” you need to know for yourself if that “gap” is the difference between your estimated family contribution or if that gap is above and beyond that. You also stand a better change of getting an enhanced finaid package if that “gap” is above and beyond what your family is expected to pay and not because your family cannot afford what is expected. You’ll also be in a better position if you can honestly say to the college if they make a better financial aid package you will attend. You need to also be able to hold up your end of the deal if they make the offer.</p>
<p>Loans and work study are self-help, not really what you’re looking for more of! Your cost figure looks high - according to their website, direct (billable) costs are around $55K. What was your FAFSA EFC?</p>
<p>I can’t figure out what my EFC is. I got a number, but it wasn’t a dollar amount (
If someone could help me with that, 'twould be great). As for the $60,000 figure, that was right on the papers they sent me. </p>
<p>I talked to someone at the school today, and I got the impression that they gave somewhat conservative awards, but if I appealed, there would be a chance of more money, especially if I was likely to attend (it’s in my top two right now, with Bard still up in the air admittance-wise). </p>
<p>Unfortunately, I probably need a gap of more like below $15,000 to make it realistic, but we’ll see.</p>
<p>As a side note, I visited today, and it looked amazing. If any school could be worth that much, Bennington looks like the one.</p>
<p>The number listed on your SAR should be identified as Expected Family Contribution (which is supposed to be an index number, not a dollar amount btw). Just add up the things they’re going to bill you for, the other items (personal expenses, books, transportation) are within your control and are probably rather generous allowances.</p>
<p>That index number is used for distributing federal aid…as a rule of thumb generally you will be expected to pay at least that much…so it is not a “firm” cost and why it is an “index”. So that “number” is fairly important to you.</p>
<p>^^ Only if it is a college or university that says it meets “need”. And if it is a Profile college they will come up with their own number based on the information submitted in the Profile. The Profile considers more information like the value of your home and other information.</p>
<p>“Based on the information we have on record for you, your EFC is 07688. You are not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant but you may be eligible for other aid. Your school will use your EFC to determine your financial aid eligibility for other federal grants, loans, and work study, and possible funding from your state and school”</p>
<p>So that means at least $7688? Or does it not correspond exactly?</p>