<p>I received my fin aid award from BC and it turns out that I have to pay out of pocket 12,500 when my family's yearly income is only 63,000. I know it may be a pretty good award but it would be very hard to pay for it for 4 years. I was wondering how I should go about appealing this award and if there are any tips to received more money from BC. Please help, although my family is very proud that I got into BC, I don't want to burden them too much due to costs. Even a few thousand more from BC would be so great. Thanks :)</p>
<p>Hate to say it, but what your fam is expected to pay is very reasonable. We make about the same yearly income, our EFC is about 6800, and we are paying 12,000 per year for my D’s college after very generous FA. Most schools do not meet your FAFSA EFC, so to expect that is unrealistic in most circumstances. BC is not a “meet need” school. Your fam is expected to pay out of current income, future income (loans), and savings. If you don’t have savings, more parent loans are possible, but really not advised. You can earn some of that $12,500 by working now and this summer, that would give you at least a couple thousand. Some colleges also allow monthly payments instead of paying a large bill twice a year. That could also help your parents. I’m sure they can figure something out, so let them be the parents and handle that part of things. Good job getting into BC!</p>
<p>What is the basis for your appeal? Most families are burdened by paying for college.</p>
<p>I think BC does promise to meet need. However, it’s not known for being super generous with its calculations.</p>
<p>Does your family have savings or home equity? If so, that may be where the highish amount is coming from.</p>
<p>what was your FAFSA EFC?</p>
<p>how much did your parents intend on paying each year?</p>
<p>Also, if your family has its own business, you may find that this is impacting your financial aid award from BC. Some business expenses are added back into income for those who are self employed.</p>
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<p>What exactly is your aid package? It is possible that some of that $12500 is in costs that are for personal expenses/books, etc. These are not billed directly by the college and you do have some control over these costs (not entirely…but you can certainly reduce them by buying books online and limiting your personal expenses). </p>
<p>How close is your aid package to meeting the billed costs BY BC? Does your package already include the Stafford loans? Will you have a summer job with earnings you can contribute? What CAN your parents reasonably pay?</p>
<p>If your parents cannot afford their expected family cost, well then they can’t. Lots of us can’t. That’s why so many of us have kids at community colleges and public universities in our home states. If you are a good enough student to get into BC, you have what it takes to do well wherever it is that you do end up studying.</p>
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<p>Actually, BC IS a school that meets full need…as BC calculates that need to be.</p>