<p>With my aid package for next yr, it would cost me 3500 in loans and 1000 out of pocket. While this is great, I'm worried that my aid package wont stay consistent over the next 4 years and I'll end up with an excessive amount of debt. I have a 0 efc and dont expect my home financial situation to improve/change over the next 4 years.</p>
<p>This is my package for 2011-2012:
Community Service Grant $3,500.00
Direct Loan Sub Stafford $3,500.00
Federal Work Study $2,200.00
Lehigh University Grant $38,370.00
Federal Pell Grant $5,500
I'm worried that I wont get the comm service grant and then I'll end up having too take out a lot of loans as a soph, junior, senior.</p>
<p>Help?</p>
<p>Lehigh re-evaluates financial aid each year and your award will be determined by your CSS Profile and FAFSA numbers.</p>
<p>Wait what?! 38k university grant? I have an EFC of 1942 and no school so far has given me more than 10k in a university grant. Is lehigh extra generous in this area? I am still waiting on my FA package. When did you get yours ?</p>
<p>That is a CRAZY generous FA package!!! My husband and I will have 3 in high-end private universities next year and we are looking at college expenses that exceed our after tax income. Based on the last few years, we expect minimal FA. All 3 of our children are working summers to help. They are taking advantage of work study, 2 are RAs and they are all constantly looking for other employment opportunties on campus as well as outside scholarships. In addition, to the staggering amount of money we are shelling out each year, we will end up with pretty hefty loans to pay. </p>
<p>While we are bordering on a financial crisis that I wouldn’t wish on any one, I think it is important for you to have some stake in your education. It sounds like you are not really feeling that you are responsible for paying for your education. While FA is definitely needed with an EFC of 0, certainly, you can work to earn an additional $3,500 if you lose it, or take out a loan???</p>
<p>While I understand that middle class families are being crunched by the bad economy, in no means are my concerns a show of lack of responsibility towards my education. I am simply inquiring whether or not the aid would be consistent. I included my package in the post in order to give a reference point for Lehigh students that might have first hand experience with changing financial aid year-to-year, not to be criticized for not wanting to take out loans.</p>
<p>While 4 k in loans is extremely generous, if its going to change to over 9k during my other 3 years of school then going to Lehigh would be more expensive than going to University of Maryland on Financial Aid. </p>
<p>If I have the option, i’m obviously going to choose the 4 yr education that would require the lesser amounts of loans because I do not plan on entering a high-paying profession and do not want to burden myself with debt that I cannot pay off.</p>
<p>I apologize if my message sounded critical. I am guessing that Lehigh must see tremendous potential in you to invest in your future so generously.
I was honestly so blown away by your package details that I lost sight of the fact that everyone has different priorities. For us education is tops so while it is not easy, making financial sacrifices to invest in the education of our children is our choice.<br>
On a more positive note, there are many opportunities on Lehigh’s campus to earn money beyond work study employment. So if you prefer Lehigh over University of Maryland, you might want to research that as an option.</p>
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<p>If this is what you really believe, without taking into account of the quality of education that you are receiving and how that will affect your future, then why not simply go to a junior college for two years and a state school for the Junior and senior years…you see?..this will really save you a lot of money, won’t it?</p>
<p>University of Maryland- College Park has an outstanding journalism program/honors program and Lehigh University is outstanding in other programs and as a school over all. I do not see where I gave any indication that I wasn’t taking strength of academics into consideration in addition to cost.</p>
<p>If that were the case, I wouldn’t even bother inquiring about Lehigh and simply attend a community college or a less academically rigorous school that would offer more merit aid.</p>
<p>bnr2011 - the bottom line is no one can guarantee your financial aid will stay the same over 4 years - it is based on your need on a year to year basis, the need of other students and the money available. I guess at some point you must make a leap of faith and make the choice that feels right for you! Good luck!</p>
<p>Bnr: did you get your financial aid package in the mail? If so, when ?</p>
<p>It should already be up on your portal NYSoccer.</p>
<p>Did you go to this page and set up your student portal?[Lehigh</a> University: Undergraduate Admissions: Admitted Students](<a href=“http://www4.lehigh.edu/admissions/undergrad/admitted/default.aspx]Lehigh”>http://www4.lehigh.edu/admissions/undergrad/admitted/default.aspx)
If not, you should do that.</p>
<p>If so, log in here:<a href=“https://cp5.cc.lehigh.edu/cp/home/displaylogin[/url]”>https://cp5.cc.lehigh.edu/cp/home/displaylogin</a></p>
<p>And then under the Financial Aid block where it says:</p>
<p>“Click here or the Banner icon to view any outstanding requests for paperwork and to view the information on your Financial Aid Notification.”</p>
<p>Click the link on the word “here” and then go to award. If you still need help, pm me. I think all accepted students should have packages unless they are missing docs.</p>
<p>I got in as a transfer student and I am NOT getting any institutional grant. Only some Pell and Federal Loan. I emailed them and they told me that they ran out o funds :(</p>