<p>How is Emorys fin aid? How has your experience been with the office? I have already been accepted to Chicago, but I have heard some bad things about their fin aid and I really like Emory but it all depends on the fin aid. My FASFA EFC is 8k. Does Emory hit their students with a lot of student loans like NYU or are they closer to the ivies in regard to loans and such. Thanks!</p>
<p>Mach,</p>
<p>Since last year, when Emory came out with their "Emory Advantage" financial aid initiative, Emory has positioned itself as being committed to those in need of financial assistance. Even before last year, their financial aid was generally very good, and they have long been a "need blind" university in their admission practices.</p>
<p>As an incoming freshman for 2009-10, if your FAFSA EFC is about $8K, then I presume that your family's income falls within the range of $50-100K. If this is the case, then the "Loan Cap Program" will cap off cumulative need-based loans/debt at $15K for dependent undergraduate students. Thereafter, Emory will provide institutional financial grants in lieu of any further student loans, such that your 4-year cumulative debt is limited. Most students would be happy or even thrilled to have a degree from Emory with only a $15K loan debt to pay off.</p>
<p>Understand that if your EFC is $8K, yours (and your family's) contribution will be around this level in payment of the cost of attendance. Also, for each year, there is a re-application process to update financial information for the student and family (as is the case for all financial aid programs at any school). Further, it is typical that Emory will expect participation in the federal work-study program, to the expected amount of $2K. This is the amount of compensation usually resulting from working about 10 hours/week on-campus in one of the designated "work-study" jobs. Often, your options are plentiful and varied, including possibility of paid jobs doing actual or quasi-research.</p>
<p>All of this said, Emory's financial endowment, like all universities, has taken a hit due to the economic crisis affecting all of us. All colleges/universities are being pressured to reassess spending and costs. Making financial adjustments and not knowing how long the crisis will be with us is a major challenge for Emory. The good news is that they are better off than most other schools, enjoy the benefits of a still sizable endowment, continue their fund raising efforts, and have thus far not made any impactful adjustments to current financial aid policies. Provost Earl Lewis has stated Emory's commitment to keep investing in financial aid as a high priority.</p>
<p>See this link for the Emory Advantage Program: Emory</a> Advantage</p>
<p>Thank you for that. I found it out yesterday and I was really excited. I do fall in the 50-100k and I am really happy to hear Emory's policies. It is great to have a school that has such policies.</p>