<p>I'll be receiving UCR Grant totaling to about $10,000. Also, I've been awarded Cal grant A which totals to $11,000. I understand that UCR will only give one grant, whichever the higher amount is. My question is, if I get the Cal grant A over UCR, since the amount is higher, is there any possible way that UCR can just give me some extra money from the UCr grant award? I'm not saying all $10,000 because I know they won't but just partial. The reason is, with pell grant, cal grant A and a stafford loan, I'll only have $21,000. My total tuition for 2011-2012 year living off campus is estimated at $26,000 so already right there I'm short $5000. I need some ways to get free extra money with having to pull out any more loans. I just feel that UCR should give me the UCR grant on top of Cal grant A, which'll be so helpful.</p>
<p>Why do you feel they should give you additional grant money? What makes you feel you deserve free money beyond what they are giving you? The only guarantee any of the UCs make is that systemwide fees will be met through any combination of grants and/or scholarships (for those that qualify). There is no guarantee to meet need with or without loans.</p>
<p>Remember the more money they give you, the less money they have to give to someone who does not qualify for Cal Grant, but may qualify for Blue&Gold. Why would they give you additional grant money when systemwide fees for yourself have been met, but potentially not for someone else? What makes you more deserving than another student? I know this sounds harsh, and for that I am sorry, but I am speaking sincerely and asking questions out of honest curiosity.</p>
<p>UCR is under no obligation to give you anything more than a combination of enough grants and/or scholarships to meet your systemwide fee if you qualify for that guarantee.</p>
<p>That said, the UCs are often fairly generous with very low income students. The average grant aid I’ve seen for very low to 0 EFC students is around $20k in grant money (this often includes Pell and Cal Grant in my experience as well). I have yet to see a package where they meet full need with no loans or even remotely close to that. They usually expect some summer contribution from the student (or from savings) as well as work study and loans. Note that the $20k average I have seen has been on packages taking into account the higher COA of $30k+ several UCs have when living on campus.</p>
<p>No one here will be able to tell you what they will and will not subtract from that $10k. You will have to wait and see what your final package looks like. You could also call, but I am not familiar with how busy UCR’s FAO is at this time of year. If it’s anything like UCSC’s, it is likely a mad house and they are very stressed and overworked at this point. Be patient with them if you do call :)</p>
<p>My family income is low and getting $20,000 in grant as you stated would be perfect. I’m getting $16,000 which is pell grant and cal grant A. I got a stafford loan so my total comes out $21,000. A year tuition at UCR is estimated at $26,000. I would need about $5,000 more. That is why I’m hoping there is a way to get an additional $5,000 in grants instead of loan.</p>
<p>Like I said, that $20k average I have personally seen is based on $30k COA, not $26k COA. There is no promise to meet either that amount or that percentage of the COA :(. That is just what I have observed from packages people have posted here and from my own.</p>
<p>To give you an idea, my bill for just fees (systemwide and campus) and room&board amount to about $27k. Between grants and loans, I am just barely able to cover that amount. Everything else I have to pay for out of savings and work study money (when I’m lucky enough to find a job… mostly I’ve been using savings). COA for this year was nearly $31k. So that is $4k left to me to cover through personal contribution beyond loans. Thankfully, I am incredibly frugal and have not actually needed even close to that $4k amount.</p>
<p>With the above in mind, your package without any UCR grant sounds very similar when compared to a package for a $30k~ COA. While it would be very generous of UCR to give you additional monies, I would not hold my breath since your package is already on par with packages for higher COA.</p>
<p>Again, I point out that they don’t have to meet anything above systemwide fees for those that qualify. There is no promise to do so and your package looks normal to me (without the UCR Grant) for a $26k COA when considering the packages given to higher COAs.</p>
<p>Have you been offered any work study? This can help with those daily expenses that happen while in college.</p>
<p>If you do not have a work study offer, you should be able to switch loan amounts to work study, however you still have to find the job and work the hours and that is not guaranteed.</p>
<p>A summer job would help, too</p>