<p>So, i received my financial aid awards from the website, and to me it seems pretty low. i got 400 dollars in pell grants, 6,750 in university grants, 2000 workstudy, and 7625 in loans… meaning the whole package is only 16775 a year… and my EFC is a little less than 4000. </p>
<p>well, if i thought this was the whole package then i would just cross american off the list, but here’s the thing: 1) i haven’t received my admissions package and 2) i recently got a request for tax returns, which i mailed a couple days ago. </p>
<p>should i expect that either there will be more awards in the official admissions package, or that my awards will increase once AU receives my tax returns, or what?</p>
<p>thanks.</p>
<p>Your tax returns will just finalize the package, would may cause it to decrease or increase, but probably not significantly.</p>
<p>I agree. The tax returns are probably a random system of verification to make sure you're telling the truth on your FAFSA, etc. </p>
<p>If I were you, I'd appeal your decision directly to the financial aid office and see what they say.</p>
<p>"If I were you, I'd appeal your decision directly to the financial aid office and see what they say."</p>
<p>How would I do that?</p>
<p>You should find your financial aid counselor by looking on here
<a href="http://admissions.american.edu/public/contentPage/contentPage.asp?navID=21&parId=333&docID=193%5B/url%5D">http://admissions.american.edu/public/contentPage/contentPage.asp?navID=21&parId=333&docID=193</a></p>
<p>Then write them a letter or email stating what you've got, why you need more, etc. If you include that you've gotten money from other great schools and are considering them, you might have more of a chance of getting money from AU.</p>