<p>Hey guys, I just received an estimate for my cost of attendance for NU. I was wondering if anyone here could elaborate on the offer and tell me if it's worth it. I'm planning on going to medical school following undergrad. so I'm kind of weary on costs. Also, are there any barriers to this offer, such as not being able to study abroad or something? Thank you!
<p>You need to consult with your school directly regarding the study aboard restrictions. At most schools, as long as you are studying abroad through the school’s international office in an accredited program supported by the school - your aid should likely follow you. However, all schools have different policies so you will want to follow up with NU.</p>
<p>This seems like a very good financial aid package, especially since it seems you will not need to borrow loans (or a minimal amount) if your family can contribute their portion and you can put your workstudy earnings towards tuition as well. I am not sure what you mean by “worth it”… This is a simple matter of doing the math to determine what your costs will be after financial aid and to decide if you can afford it or not. </p>
<p>Looks like your family has a 0 EFC, but is expected to come up with about $7500. You can take a loan for $5500 and then work over the summer to come up with money for any remaining costs.</p>
<p>Be sure to look into what you’ll need to do to FIND that work-study job. It won’t just be handed to you. There will be some process, maybe attend some seminar around the beginning of the school year or something.</p>
<p>you will want to borrow as little as possible since you want to go to med school. For that, you would have very large loans. </p>
<p>It must be an ED offer and the OP cannot wait for “a better deal ED” unless he/she decline this one. It is a pretty good offer and it would hard to beat it. Just make sure you find out the requirement for the renewal of these grants and scholarships. If you are a NMF, you may be able to get another $2000 per year.</p>
<p>Remember, this is just an estimate based on the information you have provided. It may change slightly upon verification. So don’t be surprise if it ends up to be a few thousands dollars more or less.</p>
<p>This is a very good offer, in my opinion. It is very hard to have less cost than this. You can attend by taking your student loans. If you are able to work co-op there, which I understand a lot of students do, you can use the money to avoid next year’s loans or pay down what you have. Almost all colleges will expect you to contribute at least this much except for the Ivys and a few others at the top of selectivity range. Congratulations!</p>
<p>P.S. You can be wary or leery, but weary just means tired.</p>
<p>As other said this looks like a good offer provide the requirements for the scholarships (GPA if any) are reasonable. You should be able to shave some of the expenses for books and personal expenses. Just keep in mind that work study jobs are not guaranteed only the opportunity is. You still need to find a work study job that will provide enough hours to earn your reward. Also the amounts you get for SEOG and WS can vary year to year based on funding. Always make sure you file your FA application ASAP every year since these funds do run out. Budget you money carefully so you have some left over at the end of the semester if possible. This will allow you to shop for used books for the following semester without having to wait for next semester FA to be in your account. My daughter has save a lot of money buying used. </p>
<p>@naviance and @billcsho, I ranked NU through Questbridge earlier this year and I was just recently e-mailed a likely letter from the university. They gave me the choice of either ED or RD, but allowed me to see my financial award to see if I would want to check other options or switch over to ED. I’m planning on waiting for RD though to see what other options I may have.
Overall, I just want to thank everyone for their insight. I’m still not well-learned enough in the college admission process so every bit and piece of advice really helps. Thanks!
Also, how does the work and study program work? Would I be working on campus or would I have to look for a job at a separate business? Thank you :)!</p>
<p>Oh and @BrownParent, I think deep in my mind I knew that, but I was too focused on the financial award to proofread, haha. Thanks though! It really helps to learn from my mistakes :).</p>
<p>For work study, you would be expected to interview and obtain a job on campus that is specifically offered for students awarded federal work study. You are paid out of the work study fund just like a normal job, which means you receive a pay check that can go towards your tuition or other expenses. </p>
<p>Your Federal EFC, based on your filing the FAFSA in january, will be 0. Based on you having a 0 EFC (your EFC is not quite 0 but very very low) on the FAFSA, this is how they are estimating your Pell, SEOG, Work study and Illinois Map awards. </p>
<p>However NU uses the CSS profile to give their own institutional aid (pledge scholarship and NU scholarship), which will also has a self help component, part of why you were given a 7k EFC.</p>
<p>Your direct cost with attending NU (tuition, room board and fees) are $61640</p>
<p>The amount of financial aid that you are being given to meet those direct costs are $55, 619 ( do not count work study because you have not earned that money yet in addition money from work study is usually used for pocket money and to purchase sundry items- shampoo, laundry detergent, movie money). This means that you need to come up with $6,021 just to attend classes and sleep in the dorms. This part can be covered by your taking out the full direct loan amount of $5500 and getting a part time job. Keep in mind that all monies over the cost of tuition fees and books is taxable income to you.</p>
<p>However, there are still incidentals that still must be covered (so you really should be looking for a job now):</p>
<p>You must get to school and home for breaks (travel expenses)
You need book money (you must have it when you walk on campus, trying to go with out books until you get a work study job or get paid is a recipe for disaster)
You will be living in the dorms- you will need sheets, pillow cases, hangers and other sundry items associated with setting up a base dorm
You will need health insurance (based on your package one can assume that you may not have adequate health insurance and may need to purchase insurance from the school). you must have adequate health insurance from your parent’s employer to waive this requirement. </p>
<p>Overall, I do think that you have a very good package</p>
<p>nm what I said about co-op, I was thinking a different school. </p>
<p>About study abroad–my daughter was on a lot of financial aid from Brown. She was allowed to study abroad and didn’t have to pay anything extra. The funds she rec’d from Pell and the university grant were applied to her tuition, room and board overseas. She did have to pay her own airfare, which is usual. For that she applied for a Gilman grant. You should keep in mind to apply for this grant, open to all Pell recipients. I’m not saying NU does the same thing, but likely. You would have to check with the financial aid office how study abroad works with aid, but there is nothing in the offer that prevents study abroad. At the minimum you should be able to apply your federal funds.</p>
