Do you think my appeal to USC will be successful under these circumstances?

Paying for College
1

<p>Hi everyone...I was accepted to USC and University of Michigan.</p>

<p>My family has been going through a lot of hard times. My dad was a builder, and housing here in Michigan is horrible. So he pretty much lost all of his money. Our EFC is 0. </p>

<p>Thankfully, University of Michigan saw we needed some help and pretty much gave me 100% aid.</p>

<p>USC, however, paid for $25,000 out of the $52,000 tuition, leaving my family with $27,000 to pay. </p>

<p>While I'm happy both schools gave me money, USC's amount of money I am expected to pay just isn't realistic to my family. I have heard they use a different formula to calculate your aid. USC's takes into consideration things like your home equity. My family lives in a nice house (about $350,000), but we owe $400,000 on it! There's really no way we can pay this.</p>

<p>So I decided to appeal. After calling USC, I was told that we can only appeal if we have new circumstances that have occured since the finaid decision.
There actually have been two things...first, my dad lost his building lisense. This prevents him from being allowed to sell or renovate homes, which was his only job. He wasn't making much anyway due to Michigan's horrible economy, but hopefully him being unemployed will effect my finaid.
Secondly, my family bought a condo in Florida years ago before things went so downhill. Once we lost most of our money, my family began trying to sell the condo. It wouldn't sell and the bank is now taking it away, and threatening to sue us for like $300,000. It is not for sure that we will be sued, but if we are, my family will have to file bankruptcy.</p>

<p>My dad's job loss and the bank taking the condo have both occured since they calculated my aid...so I sent in an appeal letter. But based on my circumstances, do you think I have a good shot?? And based on past successes, how much additional aid is usually given out? I don't expect 100% aid from USC, but I would need a pretty good amount to be able to attend.</p>

<p>(and yes, I know U of M is a great school, I just really want to go to USC =D )</p>

2

<p>And again I ask…how is this decision being made AFTER May 1st which is the date both of these schools require for a decision regarding enrollment?</p>

<p>If your EFC was 0 before the “new circumstances”…well…it can’t get lower than 0. You can document everything to USC and see if they will consider your situation. BUT don’t be too optimistic. </p>

<p>And you are right…UMich is a great school and they gave you a terrific financial aid award.</p>

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<p>The decision is being made after because I didn’t get my financial aid from either until just days before.<br>
U of M actually didn’t even confirm my financial aid until AFTER May 1st. Therefore, my enrollment date for U of M was extended. Sounds ridiculous, but true. </p>

<p>And I enrolled at USC, but won’t be able to go unless they find more money for me.</p>

<p>thx for the reply!</p>

4

<p>You won’t lose anything by trying BUT today is -already- the 10th of May! Since it is so late, I wonder if USC will be willing/able to scrape out more money for you. Anyhow, stop delaying and write in an appeal rightaway.</p>

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<p>This is just me, but I don’t expect my parents to pay for my college tuition. So unless your family can cough up the $20-30k per year or be drowning in debt after you graduate, I suggest you think this over.</p>

<p>The appeal process is very difficult and right now, everyone’s struggling. Plus, its already may! I think most of the budget has been used up ><;; However you should just appeal anyways because you never know how much you might get!! And just accept the U of M too. I know a couple of people that turned in their SIRs two schools and just ended up losing their deposit money to the school they didn’t want to go to.</p>

<p>I know USC is a great school but being realistic, if I were in your situation, I wouldn’t want to burden my father with any more financial troubles. If University of Michigan is giving you lots of aid, go for it. Plus, its in state. Idk but isn’t Michigan’s cost of living less than californias? plus, you’ll be living in LA…eek thats expensive. Anyways, both are great schools, but we all have to live within our means. Plus, the college experience and education is what you make of it no matter where you go. (=</p>

<p>good luck!</p>

6

<p>and don’t forget to consider TRAVEL costs to California a couple of times a year. Even on appeal I doubt ANY college is going increase your aid by 27K at this stage of the game. Go where you can afford and DON"T think twice about what you wish you do, go with what you KNOW you can do.</p>

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<p>Cmon you know the answer, go to michigan.</p>