<p>How reliable of an indicator is my freshman aid package of what I can expect to receive in the next three years? If my family's "financial situation" remains stable, is it likely that I will get the same amount for each year? Do upperclassmen generally receive more loans and work-study funds, while the grants are cut? The uncertainty makes me nervous about committing...Is this ever a problem?</p>
<p>^^^ same question, esp. if the freshman package was a result of Dartmouth matching another school's package </p>
<p>does the same principle apply to most schools?</p>
<p>The Dartmouth financial aid website says that the proportion of loans and workstudy will increase in the upper class years.</p>
<p>dyx: did Dartmouth match for you?</p>
<p>If our experience is common, you can expect some (but by no means outrageous) increase in the loan/work study component relative to the grant component, barring any change in the overall financial picture of the family. So far the increase has been very reasonable - hopefully others will weigh in.</p>
<p>TheGFG, i haven't spoken with any finaid reps yet, i'm waiting for a finaid package from another school so i have a hard copy to fax </p>
<p>should we speak with the finaid office, the admissions office, or the admissions officer who admitted us to talk about this ?</p>
<p>Well, they did send that yellow appeal form with the aid sheet, but none of those issues pertain to our family. First, we're planning to fax stuff to the Director of Financial Aid. Then we'll see if we think we should do anything else. I'm not certain if you have to be a really, really strong candidate before talking with admissions makes sense. Wouldn't the theory be that they would go to bat for you?</p>
<p>I agree with Ohmadre, that barring any major fluxuations in income your FA package will be prettyreasonable after freshman year.</p>
<p>Your student contribution does go up a little because students are expected to be active participants in the financing of their education. (the student contribution is also adjusted for sophmore summer, or if the sudent does an community involment internship through the Tucker foundation, etc).</p>
<p>DYX,</p>
<p>If you are requesting a Financial Review, wait until you get the hard copy of all of your stuff and fax it over to the FA office. They will give you a response within a few days.</p>
<p>"I agree with Ohmadre, that barring any major fluxuations in income your FA package will be prettyreasonable after freshman year."</p>
<p>thanks sybbie719, but if that's the case, will the package remain the same - as in approx. same amount of grant vs. loans each year? (especially when the grant is lower in the original package before it was matched with another school?)</p>
<p>sorry, i'm not sure if that makes sense</p>
<p>Our experience:
Work study or student contribution goes up a little. (Loans may go up a little.) Grant goes down a little. The operative word - a little. Others could have different experiences, but be encouraged that I do mean a little. So yes, the ratio of grant to loan/work study was reduced - a little. Significant changes in family circumstance will of course impact this differently.</p>
<p>To directly quote one of the webpages on this matter - this from the FAQ section under Financial Aid:</p>
<p>"Will my aid change after the first year?</p>
<p>Students reapply for aid each year, submitting updated applications and financial documents. Awards are adjusted to reflect changes in family financial circumstances, while self-help (job and loan) increases moderately in the upperclass years."</p>
<p>"Moderately" has proved to be something that can be handled.</p>