F&M Pledges to Meet 100% of Need

<p>I noticed this week on the F&M website that the college is now pledges to "meet 100 percent of every student's institutionally determined need for all four years."</p>

<p>This appears to be a change from the school's policy last year at this time when my daughter applied to F&M. When she was admitted it was our understanding that while 100% of need (as determined by the institutional method) would be met during her Freshman year, a guarantee could not be made that F&M would meet 100% of need in the following years. Now F&M is saying that they'll meet full need for all 4 years beginning with the Class of 2016. Good news for those applicants seeking financial aid. </p>

<p>Of course, the college's definition of need may not meet everyone's expectations.</p>

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<p>Yes, exactly. And …</p>

<p>Their definition of “meet 100%” also doesn’t match my definition either.
“Meet” to me means real money … “free” money … that doesn’t have to be paid back.
“Meet” to a college means loans and work study.
Big difference.
I can get my own loan and my own job.
Which I actually did way back when.</p>

<p>It’s a marketing ploy.
Nothing more.</p>

<p>Actually, we’ve been happy with the package my daughter received. Yes, there was a $3,500 Stafford Loan included but the bulk of the award was grant and scholarship. </p>

<p>Your comment is a bit too cynical for my taste and I’m a pretty cynical guy. I’m fairly satisfied being able to send my student to her first choice for a couple thousand more than it would cost me to send her to one of our directional state schools but I realize some folks are never happy.</p>

<p>^^^^
It’s not a question of never being happy.</p>

<p>:rolleyes:</p>

<p>It’s a matter of the use of 1984-speak whereby terms like “aid” means “work” or “loan.”</p>

<p>I have taken out a few loans in my life. No one would ever consider it that the bank gave me aid or assistance. They lent me money and I paid it back with interest.</p>

<p>College should be no different. I’m just suggesting that colleges use accurate language. Words are important.</p>

<p>You, yourself, said:</p>

<p>“the college’s definition of ‘need’ may not meet everyone’s expectations”</p>

<p>I’m just expanding on that point that the meaning of “meet” has also gotten twisted around.</p>

<p>I am very happy that you have had a successful relationship with F&M.</p>

<p>And, it turns out, my D is also going to look into Franklin and Marshall.</p>

<p>We now join our regularly scheduled programming.</p>

<p>Well, since work-study and loans have been part of the financial aid package since the dark ages when I went to college, the fact that work-study and loans remain part of the deal don’t come as either a surprise or aggravation. The amount of the latter might incite me if it were to go beyond the Stafford loan. </p>

<p>There are few 100% need schools however you define them so when a “new” one is added to the list, as appears to be the case here, it is worth noting.</p>

<p>As always, YMMV and don’t forget to comparison shop using the Net Price Calculator.</p>

<p>Yes, totally agree.</p>

<p>And since, as I said, we’re going to look into F&M I do appreciate you posting about their new policy.</p>

<p>I was just using this thread as a platform to quibble about language use, not against you or F&M. (As a former journalist, current songwriter, etc. I tend to do that.)</p>

<p>This is wonderful to hear. I have twins that are interested in F & M and all I have heard is they do not provide enough money to enable those with financial needs to attend. These are my first to college and I am not sure about any of this.</p>

<p>Golfer, I didn’t read anything cynical at all in what you wrote. In fact I couldn’t have said it better myself. As a father going through this process with my HS senior, I too would like the institutions to cut out the 1984 speak and use plain, understandable terms. Aid is not a loan. Aid is a gift. Loan=loan etc. In the final analysis college is a consumer transaction.</p>