<p>Hey everybody, I finally got some time on a computer in Rome and the thread has been closed! Which is fine I think, what I glimpsed of it makes me feel we wandered quite a bit afield from my original question, which was how to navagate through the reconsideration process when a financial aid package is utterly impossible. I was actually about to suggest to the moderators that the thread be bumped DOWN so that only those who were sincerely interested in financial aid would stay with the thread.</p>
<p>I sent some more clarification to the financial aid office of the school -- which I never identified in the previous thread, for obvious reasons--including an explanation from my daughter's school as to how my volunteering there worked in actual dollar terms.</p>
<p>The university told me before I left for our senior trip that they wouldn't start the reconsideration process until April first, so there's nothing I can do from here anyway. The first few days here my pulse ran so high and my stomach was in such distress that I really wondered if I'd ever achieve normalcy again. But then I was able to somewhat let go and I'll take care of it when I get home. </p>
<p>It was a shock to see how many thousands of people felt my point was worth their time. Really, I am probably the most invisible person you would ever meet. Well, at least until I spilled all my personal and financial details on College Confidential!</p>
<p>We are eating, shopping and walking almost continuously. Today we had a four hour tour of the Vatican. Right now the students are tugging at me to go out into Rome for an evening walk. I'd had a great time here but I can't tell you how much I miss my gardens, my home and my own bed.</p>
<p>I'll let you know how the reconsideration goes. </p>
<p>Best wishes to all and ciao,
Fairfielder</p>
<p>Enjoy the trip. Hopefully, some resolution will be reached when you return, if not with that school, with some other.</p>
<p>It’s nice of you to check in - I felt like I was watching a cliffhanger and would never get to see the ending! I hope you enjoy your trip to Italy and do check back in April and let us know how it worked out with your daughter’s first choice university. Besides wanting to hear the end of this saga - the info you learn and post might help someone else. Thanks.</p>
<p>Enjoy your trip and let us know if you need anything. :)</p>
<p>How nice of you to check in. Enjoy the rest of the trip.</p>
<p>Have a fun trip and a safe trip home.</p>
<p>Hi - still very intrigued by your situation. Any update?</p>
<p>Is her trip even over? Let’s wait until she gets back first before asking questions. :)</p>
<p>Hey, is Fairfielder home? Interested in how receptive the FA officer was and what they offered.</p>
<p>Also:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Did they count your volunteer work as income? </p></li>
<li><p>Is your home equity factored in?</p></li>
<li><p>Is there a workable solution? I do hope so. Your D sounds like a very good candidate.</p></li>
<li><p>Any advice for those who may be applying to a similar school next year?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I spoke yesterday with the woman in charge of financial aid, very formidable sounding; I was surprised at how nervous I was. There was a point she didn’t understand even though I thought I had made it clear in my application. So I’m sending in some supporting information (bank statements, believe it or not) and more explanations of my assets. </p>
<p>The thing with me volunteering at my daughter’s school actually doesn’t seem to have figured in. </p>
<p>She said she had taken my case to her Board and that they would do a reconsideration once all my new documentation is in. I am optimistic that they will give me a better package, though by how much I don’t know. Also my late husband’s cousins have offered to help once I get a final figure.</p>
<p>That awful gripping panic has subsided and now I’m going through the process of polishing my appeal. My advice to anyone who gets a financial aid package that is unexpectedly bad–get in touch with them, try to make a connection with a specific individual, and know that sometimes (as in my case) there is simply a misunderstanding on their end. These people have hundreds of cases in front of them and they may have just missed something.</p>
<p>Don’t be afraid to ask for a reconsideration, and a second reconsideration if you feel your case is strong. See if there’s someone higher up in the chain of command.</p>
<p>The “school down the street” which is roughly comparable, gave my daughter a much more favorable package. I tried to use this as leverage but was quickly told that “they” give merit aid and “we” don’t. So my daughter’s NMF status means no extra money. Which I knew already.</p>
<p>One school told me that if the admissions office accepts a student, they really want the financial aid office to figure out a way to get that student in. This may be true in theory but I doubt the admissions people would go to bat for you (though if you’ve made a personal connection with your admissions rep, it wouldn’t hurt to try).</p>
<p>Keep the goal in mind and don’t give up!</p>
<p>Fairfielder - thanks for the update and good luck to you and your daughter. Please let us know how it works out - you have given some good advice for those with unusual financial circumstances.</p>
<p>I was also very curious about you and what you plan to do next year. Adjusting to an empty nest is hard for any parent - but since it has just been the 2 of you for many years - even more so. I was wondering if you were considering looking for a job or some other volunteer opportunities.</p>
<p>I don’t know, maybe my “wild woman” side will come out but I doubt it. </p>
<p>I’m sure that in the freshman year, most parents stay in pretty close touch with their student as well as keeping an eye on the school itself. For the last six months I’ve been reading both the official school online newspaper and the student paper–I was told this is the best way to get the most accurate feel for the school. I’d strongly recommend this to anyone who wants the behind the scenes look at any school they are applying to, even months before the student has narrowed down their options, as it may really impact their choice, to see what the students are complaining about (food, dorms) and wishing for (activities), as well as crime stats, weather, and neighborhood vibe.</p>
<p>Realistically, I will be looking for a job to start paying back loans! Yep, that’s me, a 58-year old volunteer secretary seeking a paying job in a small town. </p>
<p>I know that the house will feel empty. Do people who live alone always look after their nutrition and exercise? My mother didn’t. So this may take some discipline on my part.</p>
<p>Thanks for asking!</p>
<p>Any updates? Thinking about you and D.</p>