Financial Aid Appeal Denied

Paying for College
1

<p>Hello everyone I am new to the site and had a question. Has anyone been denied their financial aid appeal and pursed another route to try obtain assitance from the school. </p>

<p>My dd has a 3.7 GPA and was accepted into the schools honor program at the school and on the same day was denied any financial assistance on our appeal. They have offered us student loans but it still is going to be quite an loan for us to take for her 5 year program.</p>

<p>I feel like this is the end of the line for us unfortunately but I figured I would put this question out and see if anyone has taken any other steps that I may not not thought of. </p>

<p>Thank you</p>

2

<p>My suggestion to you is to have your Daughter call her admissions officer and thank her profusely with the acceptance and let her know that there is a financial issue and that it is a big problem for her. She should ask if there is any suggestion, any scholarship available to her. She can also tell the counselor that her appeal was denied at fin aid, and if there is anyone there that can do another review. </p>

<p>Other than that, no. I don’t know anything else you can do.</p>

<p>A lot of these 5 year programs are so popular that the schools are not as intent on funding them. I don’t know what your daughters’ program is, but many of them are hybrids that cause a lot of funding issues because somewhere as early as the 3rd year and certainly by the 5th , the student is no longer an undergrad and may come under graduate student guidelines, a whole other story in terms of funding And, yes, master programs are nearly always, close to totally funded with loans, few grants. </p>

<p>There is often the thought that these programs produce graduates that are going to be able to find jobs more easily that pay well and can repay those loans. When you are looking at the costs of some of these programs over 5 years, I am doubtful, especially private school ones and when large loan amounts are involved, but that’s some of the thought process involved.</p>

3

<p>

I don’t think you can afford to go to this school.</p>

4

<p>What is the situation?</p>

<p>What is the cost breakdown for the school?
Are there ways to trim the cost?</p>

<p>What is the breakdown of the aid that she was offered?</p>

<p>How much can your D earn over the summer?</p>

<p>How much can she earn part time during the school year? </p>

<p>How much can you pay out of pocket each year?</p>

<p>What was the basis for your FA appeal?</p>

<p>What is her major, career goal, and the 5 year program? </p>

<p>Will she be considered a “grad student” after year 3? </p>

<p>Can she go to a CC for the first two years and then transfer?</p>

5

<p>ETA…does your child have ONLY one college she is considering? Does she have an affordable acceptance?</p>

<p>Sorry…not enough information to be able to help with the appeal question. What was your FAFSA EFC? Does this school use the Profile or a school form as well? </p>

<p>If the school has already reviewed your request for need based aid, it would seem unlikely that they would do so again UNLESS there was information they missed (loss of
Income, medical bills, etc), or if the financial situation has changed again. Still if the school does not guarantee to meet full need OR your EFC is close to the cost of attendance, you would not see an increase in aid.</p>

<p>Need based aid is primarily based on parent income. However this becomes more complicated if you have significant assets, own additional real estate in addition to your primary residence, own a business.</p>

<p>Does this college meet full need for all students? What is the cost of attendance? Is it a public university in YOUR home state?</p>

6

<p>Some schools simply do not meet need. So even if the family has need, even a zero EFC, even making poverty level income, it doesn’t matter. They accept on a need blind basis but it’s up to the family to get the funds. </p>

<p>The OP has not given info as to what the EFC is, or why the need appeal was denied, but it was. So,yes, it’s pretty much the end of the line as what I suggested is truly a Hail Mary pass, and generally will not net out more than a little bit of money any ways.</p>

<p>Those who have read my anecdotes, have often read this story already. About 10 years ago, one of my closest friends’ beautiful, talented daughter was accepted to a 5 -6 (don’t remember exactly) pharmacy program (?) . They had a very low EFC, and the school gave them a big fat nothing. They simply did not give much money towards those in those programs because there is a line around the block for a spot. The school did not guarantee to meet full need anyways, and does not give much in the way of merit for certain programs, that one included. But she so wanted to go–it was her first choice, and she was a great student, model student, model daughter and the parents wanted to make it happen. They considered it an investment and paid for the program through loans. PELL and loans.</p>

<p>I don’t know when she dropped out of the program or why, but she did. She continued at the school which she loved, and she took every opportunity for the most wonderful activities and had the fullest, funnest, most marvelous ug expereince. Had to take an extra year to graduate because she changed her major, took a semester a broad on the most fascinating trip, and took some interactive courses one term, again phenomenal experience. Internships, oh ever so impressive. Then she graduated with a major in philosophy and minors in public something and political science, and coudn’t find a job. And the loans all came due. Family was in tough financial shape anyways, and the mom had co signed the loans. </p>

<p>They are still struggling and the loans have ballooned up to some ridiculous amount. I;ve said $90 K this year, but it’s close to double that, as the interest keeps on cranking along with non payment penalties. She works in a coffee shop part time. No money there. Dad left–the marriage had been shaky and on again/off again anyways, and mom has no way to even touch the interest owed.</p>

<p>She could have gone tuition free at her own state U, not for such a program as she initially wanted, but FREE. For the same school that my own brother is paying OOS prices for his DDs to attend.</p>