<p>I was recently accepted into a liberal arts school which gave me a lot of aid.
I would have to pay 3,500 including personal,books,travels, and I believe 700 goes to the school directly. My EFC is 0. I already feel bad asking for more money since my EFC is at 0 but to my mother and I 3,500 is a lot.
Also, doesn't tuition increase every year (at a liberal arts school)?
I wouldn't want to take a loan already. </p>
<p>I am applying to scholarships by the way. Just haven't heard from any yet.</p>
<p>
Yes you could ask for more grants; but the Direct Loans are parts of Federal Student Aid. </p>
<p>Many schools that meet full need require a student contribution of some kind. At some schools, they award work study to help with the student contribution. At others, they expect the student to contribute somehow.</p>
<p>There are some costs on the cost of attendance that you can control. These include books, transportation and personal expenses. </p>
<p>Taking out the $3500 in a Direct loan would not be the end of the world.</p>
<p>I agree it isn’t really reasonable for you to expect that everything is paid for you and you contribute nothing at all to the effort. That is not a lot to take in a loan. You can work over the summer to cover those costs. And as others have said, you can reduce the expenses so you don’t have to come up with that much. Buy used books or rent them or borrow them. If the colleges allows, move off campus in last 2 years if nearby housing is cheaper and go off meal plan and buy/make your own food. Fly home less often. Keep applying for scholarships every year. Hunt down good paying internships.</p>
<p>If tuition increases, then so does aid. But remember you may have to purchase health insurance if your family doesn’t have insurance that meets the school standards.</p>
<p>And also, at some schools, the student contribution increases annually…so be prepared for that possibility as well.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! I’m not expecting to have everything paid, just that amount is already enough at is. </p>