<p>Friday my daughter got her prelim FA award. She, and another friend, have financial aid packages that are significantly different from last year–more $$ and more loans. I know there is a new FA director and I am curious whether other students are experiencing this. Both are A students.</p>
<p>D has graduated from Barnard so can’t speak on point here, but GPA is not significant in need-based awards. Calculations must be made differently. If more is in loans and more money is given, is grant money stable?</p>
<p>I’m surprised that your daughter has a financial aid package at this point. I’ve never known Barnard to issue financial aid awards for continuing students before the end of June, and I confirmed by email today with the financial aid department that “awards are mailed out the last week of June”. Is there some sort of special circumstance in your case that would result in earlier awards?</p>
<p>I haven’t gotten one yet either. I would imagine that there were probably special circumstances involved in getting them that early. Also, the financial aid office doesn’t consider grades in their awards. It is all need-based.</p>