<p>I just got a text from my daughter that she was able to access her financial aid information. She gave me her password, etc., and it was exactly as Rixs explained earlier.</p>
<p>Hey, VailsMom, now that I have her login information I guess I’m all set for grades as well!!</p>
<p>@Hirrary,</p>
<p>Looks like they sent the same e-mail to everyone … can’t wait to see if the award offers ANY hope of going to W&M …</p>
<p>Yeah still not working for me…</p>
<p>DD’s ED welcome packet included the letter of acceptance and the card. The letter had a login name on it and a temporary ID. She set it up that day.</p>
<p>It was the same with my other DD’s RD acceptance- the acceptance letter had the login information. You get that before sending in the deposit card. </p>
<p>I pulled out both letters to make sure my memory was correct.</p>
<p>Hey, VailsMom, now that I have her login information I guess I’m all set for grades as well!!>></p>
<p>The system makes them periodically change the password, but I don’t remember how often. I’ll have to ask DD.</p>
<p>Ha! Fin aid “award” consist of two loans … oh well, scratch scratch …</p>
<p>^Mine had 3 loans.</p>
<p>plumazul and Rixs, here is the package that my d got with an EFC of 7500…did yours look anything like this? I was considering calling the FA office to ask if there was any other non-loan options available. If my D takes out 8500 in loans each year, she will owe close to 40,000 when she graduates, and she plans on grad school!!</p>
<p>The numbers might be off slightly because I’m going on memory:</p>
<p>COA: 22500
EFC: 7500
Direct Subsidized Loan: 3500
Direct Unsubsidized Loan: 2000
Perkins Loan: 3050
VGAP: 4465</p>
<p>You should be able to review financial aid award prior to accepting. Unless extremely weathly, how would one know if the school is financially feasible without the FA award? After this process with two daughters and a total of 13 acceptances, FA letters arrived within days and had until May 1st for all decisions due.</p>
<p>@terig,
You are so right to be concerned about debt going into grad school. I’ve been advised to save ALL debt for Med school, so I can’t go to any school that “awards” loans. The good news is that MANY no longer do that …
My only REAL hope of going to W&M was to get a $cholarship, it didn’t happen, and with an EFC of 40K+ … no way … I’ll save that $ instead for med school …</p>
<p>@terig- Mine looked exactly like that. O_o</p>
<p>I’m also worried about grad school. I’m working my butt off now to get scholarships. If I can get it down to 2-3k, I’ll be fine. </p>
<p>But 8k is a bit much. I just hope I can manage one or two scholarships, but the local ones are scarce because I live in a poor area… >></p>
<p>I’ve only got about four I’ve done so far, and one I’ve already lost. -sigh-</p>
<p>I want to go to grad school too…</p>
<p>remember you can’t go to grad school until you go to undergrad. And that you can work between undergrad and grad school.</p>
<p>Very true, soccerguy, first things first! However, part of financial planning is to anticipate your future needs. This is why we invest in retirement accounts. If I lived my life by that motto, I might convince myself to splurge on a bigger “better” house than I might need because I’m going to be living in that house before I retire. Maybe the smaller, more modest home would be perfectly fine for my family and would also allow us to put a little more money aside for our future.</p>
<p>very true, long term planning is important! I just feel that a 17 year old planning on grad school is a long way from a 22 year old planning on grad school, with most people changing their majors multiple times and whatnot. Of course, you are at an advantage if you can make a successful long term plan and stick to it =)</p>
<p>In our case, D will be attending W&M one way or the other! She withdrew all of her other applications once she was admitted ED and we think it is a perfect fit for her. The student loans are high, but we’ll split them with her when she graduates and try to figure out grad school later on (if that even happens!). Another “investment” in her future, is allowing her to attend an undergrad school that will put her in a competitive position when/if she applies to law school. You’re right soccerguy, most students end up changing their minds anyway!</p>
<p>^Same here, terig. </p>
<p>My parents are probably going to try and foot as much my loans themselves as they can…in addition to the Parent Plus loan they have to take out for the remaining $4,800 they don’t have. </p>
<p>I don’t have to worry about them not trying…not with Dad anyway. >></p>
<p>Rixs, you are very fortunate to have parents who are willing to support you on this journey. There are a lot of kids out there who are forced to find resources on their own. We’ve encouraged our D to apply for some local scholarships and to pick up extra babysitting jobs this summer to help supplement this costly venture. Just this week she was able to pick up another tutoring job which gives her $140 extra a month…a babysitting job here and a tutoring job there will add up over time:-)</p>
<p>I’m looking for a job, but I live in such a poor area. We’re in a freeze. I’m not sure I’m going to find anything…</p>
<p>Financial Aid award letters are generally mailed about one week after admission decisions are. Those who applied early will likely receive their financial aid decisions in early April if not earlier. Should you receive any communication from Financial Aid, respond promptly so as not to delay your award letter. If you have any questions, you can contact the Financial Aid Office at any time.</p>