Don't know what to do

<p>D has thankfully had several successful applications (as well as a couple of rejections), and some have even sent financial aid awards that we could actually manage. The biggest problem right now is that the school that offers everything she wants is about $3,000 out of range. I know that seems like a small amount, but for us it will be insurmountable. Do we tell them that? We have already explained some of the difficulties we're facing, but they haven't suggested recalculating her award and we haven't specifically asked for that. We could send them the information about her other offers, but no other school is exactly the same type as they are. Better offers are from an elite tech school, an elite LAC, a university in the top 50 (but not in the top 25 like the one out of range), and a couple of state schools. Any advice? We are grateful for the opportunities D now has, and she will probably be very happy wherever she chooses, but I don't want her to give up having it all if there is anything else we should be doing. Thanks, parents.</p>

<p>You have nothing to lose by sending the other offers and asking if they can recalculate.</p>

<p>How much in loans would she be taking out? The average college student takes out $20 k for 4 years of college. If she's below that, perhaps she could take out some more loans.</p>

<p>Are there resident assistant positions that she might get after freshman year to cut her costs? What about living off campus after freshman year? Often it's cheaper to live off campus.</p>

<p>Another way to approach this (in addition to what's been discussed) is to say that if that school can reduce the gap, your daughter will definitely accept. That may not work but it gives the school more incentive.</p>

<p>How badly does she wnt to go to this school? $3000 a year may seem insurmountable right now but it just isn't that much if she really wants to go - two summer jobs instead of one, economize on expenses, borrow a little more, become an RA after the first year, creative scrounging by everyone. Maybe they will knock $500 off, a little here a little there, and she's set. I would dip into the retirement money (a big no-no from my point of view) to help make up that amount.</p>

<p>I agree with the advice here. As NSM says, it won't hurt. I tend to agree with you that you are not likely to get much that way, but every little bit helps. Usually more loans are offered. The other venue is for your D is to work, work, work. Mine is working during spring break and is double shifting. Will probably work 80-90 hours this summer too. I have posted this a number of times on the financial aid board, as I can tell you that all of my kids have worked a lot. Now if she already works a lot and all of that is taken into account, and the situation is such that the $3000 is an absolute problem--and I have seen less than that be a huge roadblock, then the situation needs to be laid out to the college, and if they cannot budge, than it just cannot be done. I knew kids who were instrumental in keeping the family business running, and just their going away for school was going to put the family $10-20K in the hole before they even started paying for anything. Sometimes in such a case, some arrangement can be made, as the kid is a wage earner for the FAMILY.</p>

<p>We have mentioned that her British state school ends their term on July 1, by which time the summer jobs have been filled by returning uni kids who came back in early June. Then the US schools' start of term is mid-August, a month to six weeks earlier than British unis. No one wants her for that short time and she is unwilling to lie to get a job. It's the first year I'm concerned about before she has that three month summer gap to work and save. If there was a retirement fund to dip into, we might consider that, but there is not and we will already be seriously economizing to pay the bit before the missing $3000. Maybe she should just take the best offer....</p>

<p>Not knowing the particulars of your situation makes it hard to offer concrete advice. I would, however, not despair entirely as there are ways to overcome a shortfall of $3,000 a year. Reading that finding summer employment may be hard, you may consider the benefits of a gap year. </p>

<p>In addition to gaining maturity before embarking on a four-year journey across the pond, your daughter will find opportunities to earn sufficient money to cover a few years of shortfall, as well as an ideal preparation for a program that may be slightly different in format and scope. Depending on the school she plans to attend, she might even pursue a few credits that may allow her to graduate a semester early and recoup the shorfall in her senior year. </p>

<p>If you can, do some research on the gap year, and you may see that the benefits are tremendous.</p>

<p>usmominuk - is your daughter doing A-level exams? If she is, you may want to check the exam timetables online/at her school and find out when her exams finish. I would think it would be sometime in June (possibly even earlier, depending on the subjects), which would give her at least a few extra weeks to work.</p>

<p>My father-in-law said the tuition payments never worked on paper--but they found a way to squeeze through. Another $12k loan is doable for a dream school--though it doesn't hurt to ask for more $$ and ask again next year :). </p>

<p>Otehr ideas: Your D could become an RA in the dorms in junior year which pays room and some board.</p>

<p>There are ways...but hey--congrats on the acceptances! You must be pleased!</p>

<p>Hey everybody! Thanks for all the interest and advice. She asked again, mentioning some of the problems, about how to make things work and they recalculated without us asking specifically for it or asking them to match anyone else. It's better and just possible under the method of Cheers' father-in-law.... And yes, we are very pleased.
Although her choice is VERY broad, we did better than we expected targeting the money which was the necessary thing for the dream to come true.
Yes, D is doing A levels, but exams are late this year and she is sitting two extension exams and so doesn't finish until July 1.
Now it's decision time for her - so many considerations, but, thankfully lots of choice.</p>

<p>USmominUK, big cheers for D. And congratulations! Let us know how it works out. You and she did a terrific job, particularly since you had to do it from a distance. I am so happy for you!</p>