<p>Hey everybody! I'm looking for some input from current students; How is the financial aid at Richmond? I am really interested, and look forward to applying but my worry is the financial aid. I am a Mexican-American student from Los Angeles, CA if that helps. Thanks!</p>
<p>Hey CA! I’m originally from Glendale! My daughter is a Junior at UR. You will get different opinions on here regarding FA but here is my take: UR provides for 100% of demonstrated need. Demonstrated need is basically Cost of Attendance minus EFC from your FAFSA. That doesn’t mean that their FA is free. It may come in the way of scholarships, grants, loans or work. My daughter did not get Richmond Scholar or Bonner Scholar. Our total family income is about $110k and we have two students in college. Aid her first year included $35k in grants. Sophomore year included some scholarships and “free money” was about $42k. This year was about the same, $42k. The scholarships are from her good grades. For us, we have been very pleased with aid but others here are not so happy. If you apply and are accepted, you will get an estimated financial aid package. From that you can make your decision on whether or not to accept their offer of admission.</p>
<p>Hi PAVenturer! Great! Nice to see CA representation at Richmond. Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post. It sounds like your daughter is receiving a good FA package. Would you say that a combination of scholarships, grants, etc. can cover all of the cost? Unfortunately, my parents will not be able to provide much help as income is around $22k. I will be visiting Richmond soon and will ask about FA to other students as well. Thank you again!</p>
<p>If your family income is $22k, then your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) should be at or close to $0.00. There are EFC calculators all over if you Google it. CC has one somewhere. But anyway, UR is need blind, which means that the folks who determine who is admitted are not the same folks determining FA. They also will provide 100% of need. So, the FA folks say you need 100% aid, Admissions says they need you at UR, you get 100% aid. Part of that will be the max $2500 (I think that is the right freshman number) max federal student loan. Part of that will be Work Study, meaning they expect you to get a job on campus and contribute something. If admitted though, you can count on substantial grant/scholarship money. </p>
<p>Good luck! Are you planning on applying ED?</p>
<p>CA, I would be SHOCKED if your family was expected to pay a dime. Honestly, it helps that you’re coming from CA and you have minority status as well as the income. </p>
<p>Best of luck with the process!</p>
<p>Our son is in his first year at URichmond, is from Orange County, California and is extremely happy there. His classes are small, the profs, great, and he is involved with intramural sports, etc. The school was very fair with his financial aid. There is an EFC calculator on the school website, and the dollar amount that the EFC came up with was almost exactly the amount that the school gave our son. So, you might plug in your numbers to the EFC, and I think it will give you a good idea of what to expect from the Financial Aid office. There are several Southern California kids in the class of 2016, but the great thing is that you will meet kids from all over the country and you get to experience new weather, food, etc. URichmond is great!</p>