Hi everyone,
So SU offered me a good amount of grants. However, it is not enough. I really like the school and their program, but compare to my in-state college (NJ if I commute), it will be free. SU said my parent is responsible of paying 7k a year for my college, but my dad only makes about 32k a year. I have an older sister in college and another two older sister who are both unemployed after college and my dad still has to support all three of my sister. My dad just doesn’t have the ability to get more loans.
My question is, is this a valid reason for SU to give me more grants? I read a lot of articles about financial aid appeal and they all say the reason has to be
- Your parent’s salary is at xxx amount, but it’s a one time thing so next year it will drop.
- Someone got into an accident.
- Someone past away or can’t financial support you anymore.
Also is it better if I write a letter or call the financial aid office about my circumstances? I will be visiting SU in two weeks, should I ask them there?
Thanks guys
Post your entire FA offer. I think the $7K may be from your parent and from You (working during the summer).
Syracuse University Grant
Grant
36,700.00
Fed Direct Unsubsidized Loan
2,000.00
Fed Direct Subsidized Loan
3,500.00
Federal Perkins Loan
2,000.00
Federal Work Study (Work/Study)
3,200.00
Federal S.E.O.G. Grant
1,000.00
Federal Pell Grant Grant
5,815.00
Aid Year Totals
54,215.00
Family Contribution$ 7,323.00 / yr
You can ask, but you have a very generous package. Remember that some of that $7,300 is not billed to you, so if you shop carefully for books, find a way to travel inexpensively, watch you pennies, you might be able to shave a few dollars off. You can work this summer and earn $3000. You might have to work a few jobs.
Call the financial aid office. Tell them they are your first choice. Ask if there are less expensive meal plans and housing choices. Show them you are trying to make it work.
Your family contribution includes your contribution, which is probably estimated at around $2-3K. You can probably increase this by working more during the school year and summer.
I doubt they will give you more aid as you appear fully funded. You can always try. As for your siblings who you dad is supporting after college, they generally will not take that into consideration as they are treated as adults.
You have an extremely generous package. they are not going to match what your state university offers you. Syracuse does not meet 100% demonstrated need. Op is not a NYS resident so he is not eligible for HEOP or
You need $6025 to walk in the door and go to class, plus health insurance (if your parents don’t have adequate insurance).
If you want to attend Syracuse, what can you do to help bring the cost down? Are you working,? Maybe you need to get a part time job now and perhaps work 2 jobs over the summer so that you can come up with `$3000 before classes start in august. You can see if there are any on campus jobs where you can work perhaps even an off campus job where you can earn the other 3k for the december bill.
If your parents are not in a position to pay and you want Syracuse, while it may not be pretty and it may not be fun, you will have to make sacrifices to make it happen.
Ok, I’ll take everyone’s suggestions into consideration when deciding my colleges and planning. Thanks everyone!