@“Informed Mom 2016” - what you wrote makes a lot of sense. However, I’ve got an older daughter at AU and I’m on a 180+ AU parent FB page and several parents of sophomores complained that their FA was reduced the second year and they weren’t sure why. But they needed to be very pro-active about it and for the most part were successful in getting it reinstated, but not always. So my experience is somewhat second hand but the parents were surprised, and not all of them were dealing with this for the first time. So I do think it is just something that people interested in AU should be aware of. Some students/families really stretch their budgets very thin to afford expensive schools and they need to be aware that this could cause problems down the road, or so it seems. And totally agree, as I’ve said before, that people should talk directly to FA officers at any school beforehand.
Waitlisted with 3.9 UW/5.2 W, 2250 SAT, 8 APs, and decent extracurriculars (plus I’m an IB candidate). I’m hoping it was just yield protection, as I’ve seen others claiming. Not terribly upset; I probably couldn’t have afforded it anyway
Thank you to everyone for your replies and suggestions regarding the AU financial aid package. I should mention that my D’s total FA package includes a scholarship as well. Our question specifically arises because our D has been accepted to a few competitive universities, but the 4-year scholarships at the other universities are higher in value with lower grant funding and it is the opposite for her AU offer. With 3 kids in college for the next two years, I guess we are asking for a crystal ball to ensure that we don’t wake up in year two and she is missing 10K with NO CHANGE to our EFC. We did speak to a very nice FA representative who indicated that they (AU) “does not front load” and reiterated that those issues that affect one’s EFC, affect one’s FA package (this is my summary). It is something that my family completely understands, but we had “heard” what myjanda suggested in her post. My D is looking to make her decision soon.
myjanda - is that FB group open or closed?
wow, im ecstatic- i thought i was denied or waitlisted but i got admitted for spring 2017! (3.7, 1820)
I’m little late to this thread but I got accepted to AU!! Got my mail last week and I’m super excited!!!
I was not able to access to the portal (that we’ve been talking for a lot of times) and I was not able to make my account (never!) but I got accepted!
I still can’t log in to the account or make one… It’s weird:P
Anyways, logging into the portal and being able to make a new account does not indicate your acceptance! (For the future applicants 
)
Question for all of you out there…
So I got into AU today and I logged onto the new student portal and saw my FA package.
Does anyone know if what I’m seeing is the right thing? (Hoping it’s not as it’s a pretty crappy award package)
I have a question about the honors program. I applied and my acceptance letter indicates no decision or mention of the honors program. I did apply to PPL and my acceptance is mentioned in the letter. I assumed a rejection to the honors program, but I just received an invitation in the mail for an on-campus honors and scholars event. If anyone could help me figure this out I’d be forever grateful.
@jschul98 That’s probably the right thing. It’s also in the mailed packet when you get that.
@jschul98 - yes, the FA package you see in the new student portal would be the package they are offering. If you have questions, I would suggest calling the financial aid office.
@Themclos @waxeraser Thanks for all the help. I’m a little bummed because I only got 5k in grants and 5k in loans. My stats are a 3.6 GPA/4.7 Weighted and a 30 ACT with great EC’s and leadership positions. Sad to not have gotten any merit aid as AU was one of my top choices…
There are several American University Class of 2020 pages on facebook. There is an official one that is kind of boring and then there is one run by upperclassmen who will answer your questions. There are also two facebook pages for parents. One is American University Parents which is not very helpful and is the official page. There is also American University Parent to Parent Connection which is a large group of parents trying to figure it all out and support their students.
Finally got my admissions package. Accepted 3.6 UW, 33 ACT, ~1000 volunteer hours, lots of speech an debate stuff.
I still never heard back. I’m from the east coast and most people by now have heard. Is there a reason for that other then being denied? Have those who have been denied heard back yet?
@Gotthis1 and @NESeattleMom - yes, I was referring to the parent to parent connection, which I’ve been a member of since it was started in Fall 2014. It’s very helpful. It’s closed but imagine you could join it if you asked. Let me know if you need more info. As mentioned, this is just what I’ve heard about FA from others, this is not based on our personal experience.
Good luck!
@slaymartha As far as I know, they didn’t send different decisions at different times. Try making a MyAU student portal to find out
If there was no mention of a merit award in my letter does that mean I didn’t receive one? (Was accepted for spring semester)
@crazymonkey444 Yes. My D’s package was the same way. I called FA to confirm…and it was confirmed.
Thank you @myjanda and @NESeattleMom! I went on FB and requested to join. Hopefully, I will hear something back.
@enigmaticmind the PPL program is considered a scholars program, hence the special event invite. My D was offered the AU scholars program, a 2-year living and learning research program which is similar. I hope this helps.
@mg12344 which other schools did u get accepted to?