<p>I need help with my fin. aid appeal letter.</p>
<p>Columbia shtuked me with a yearly personal contribution of $20,000, compared with $0 at my current school.
I can't even use my outside merit scholarships, which amount to $10,000, to cover this expense.</p>
<p>I really want to attend Columbia, but I do not want to take out loans for >$40,000 over the next two years. I have the fin aid officer's email address, and I will compose an appeal letter today.</p>
<p>Do you have any advice as to how I could best write this appeal?</p>
<p>Here's some relevant info:
I'm still waiting to hear from Duke and Penn.
My parents only make 75 combined per year</p>
<p>There will be some expectation that you contribute to your own education. $0 student contribution is rare. However, the $20,000 seems awfully high. Do you have investments? If this figure is correct, it is because Columbia won't let you get away with keeping trust funds or investments & receiving need based aid in lieu of spending them. If you don't have any assets, though, I think a call to the Columbia financial aid office is in order. Just nicely explain that you are surprised by the student contribution & you would like to make sure that it is indeed correct. If they say yes, politely ask how they came up with that figure. Be nice, but you certainly have a right to know how they are coming up with this --- keeping in mind that it might just be an honest mistake. Many colleges are really bad about giving transfer students money, but I didn't think Columbia would gap like that.</p>
<p>Thank you very much for your response.
I just found out that I'm in at Duke as well, so do you think it would be wise to tell Columbia that I really want to attend, but if Duke gives me a sweeter deal, I will not be able to do so?
I have yet to hear from Penn, btw.</p>
<p>Oo - and I do have ~8,000 in investments because I made some money from summer research and merit scholarships.</p>
<p>Yes, definitely ask Columbia to reevaluate your FA if Duke gives you a better offer. They are peer schools so you might have some success.</p>
<p>I agree with entomom. Personally, I wouldn't want to take on $40,000 of debt. If you could go to Duke for less, you will have that option even if Columbia says no to matching Duke. Either way, you can't lose! </p>
<p>First, call & ask Columbia if they made a mistake. You may be getting double-dipped on the money you saved - they might assume you'll make it again next year, plus they expect you to spend it (I think 70%). Even with that, though, you aren't at $20k personal income/savings to be able to contribute. So try the mistake angle first. Then, if it's not a mistake, write a letter requesting a review of your package. Let them know that you would really, really like to attend Columbia ... but Duke has offered you XYZ. Perhaps they might reconsider your situation? It's worth a try. If they say no, Duke is a great school. If they say yes, you'll be glad you asked. :)</p>
<p>agree with entomom and kelsmom.
personally i think you need to figure out if you really have the ability to afford the $40,000 debt.And ask yourself is that worth that much.Telling them the information about Duke is helpful,i believe.
btw, why can't you use your outside merit scholarships?</p>
<p>Sorry, this question must be irrelevant, but what exactly is college-funded financial aid? Do you need to pay back after graduation, or is it a $gift that you can decide how to use it? Wikipedia doesn't provide much info on this.</p>
<p>Financial aid can come in the form of grants (doesn't have to be paid back), loans (must be paid back) and/or work study. There are a few schools that give only grant aid , others will give a mixture. </p>
<p>A good website to find out about financial aid is finaid.com</p>
<p>Thanks, entomom :)</p>