Financial Aid info for potential Fall 2013 enrollees

<p>Just to let others know, I called the financial aid office and asked when the FA packages were expected to go out. The woman I spoke with said not until the end of the first week in April. I can’t believe how late in the cycle they’re going out, but she said it’s because of the board’s not finalizing the 2013-14 charges and their having a policy of not sending out packages based on estimates. </p>

<p>S got accepted way back in December (as EA). It feels like we’re waiting an eternity for all of the information we need in order to make a final decision. It looks like he’s probably going to end up attending someplace else (for financial reasons) even though I think he’d pick Bard out of any of his schools if he could, but it sure would be nice to know for sure whether it even has a place on the table.</p>

<p>It’s not that unusual to get financial aid info the first week or so of April. And you have until May 1 to decide, so no need yet to write a school off. We got additional offers from my two sons schools (generally merit offers) all the way up to the last week of April. In addition, one can also appeal financial aid offers - and won’t hear about that till sometime in late April, as well. You’ll be shocked at how quickly April goes by and May 1 is upon you!</p>

<p>do you know if merit aid awards were included with acceptance letters? if so I got none :/</p>

<p>At the bottom of S’s acceptance letter (and maybe everyone’s?), it says “Candidates are automatically considered for all college grants and scholarships. If you are awarded a special scholarship or financial assistance, the Financial Aid Office will notify you under separate cover.” A few weeks later, I called the FA office and asked about it. They said they don’t really know why the admissions office includes that since they don’t send anything out until the FA offers go out in the spring. </p>

<p>So long story short, I wouldn’t necessarily assume at this point that you didn’t get anything. I’m still holding out hope that S may get great aid.</p>

<p>Do the FA/Merit awards also get sent by mail?</p>

<p>I don’t know for sure, but I have to assume yes since I don’t think S has ever received any logon account info. Maybe he did, though, and didn’t pay attention to it??</p>

<p>Everything is by mail. No log ons…</p>

<p>UPDATE: Financial Aid Award letters went out on Monday! Just got the news from someone at the Bard Financial Aid office.</p>

<p>YES! After the Distinguished Science Scholarship and another $10,000 in grant, Bard comes out to ~$6,000!!! (Got it in the mail today NYC)</p>

<p>Wow! Congratulations!!</p>

<p>Congratulations Cornellquestion! That’s fantastic. Hoping for good news for you, too, Morganhil and fosterte and everyone else waiting.</p>