Financial Aid mess up!?

<p>I don’t get it. My parent’s gross income for the year 2005 was $30000. I just checked my financial aid award and its only $16000. My parents and I still have to pay $28000. This is impossible for me. I have two sisters. My father has to pay two employees who work for him. Add bills, taxes, miscellaneous expenses. Paying this much is impossible for me. I thought Upenn meets 100% of demonstrated need. Can my award be appealed, or is this set. I can’t believe there’s a chance I won’t be able to go because of finances. Brown, on the other hand, has given me a $30000 financial aid award. Should I go there?!</p>

<p>IF you want to be a Quaker I recommend you phone a fiancial aid officer and have a talk. IF you want to take Brown's offer of money then do it. Nobody here can tell you what was/wasn't submitted to Penn........or Brown. You mention no loans, grants just a figure which I am guessing to be your out of pocket cost.</p>

<p>Sorry...I should have given more specific information.</p>

<p>Alright..I checked my PennPlan...and here is the information that is stated. </p>

<p>Financial Aid Notice
Educational expense budget for the academic year $46,580<br>
Expected Family Contribution $30,160<br>
Expected Parent Contribution $28,000<br>
Expected Student Contribution $2,160<br>
Financial Aid Eligibility $16,420<br>
Your Financial Aid Awards<br>
Grant<br>
Estimated Pell Grant $4,050<br>
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) $4,000<br>
Penn Grant $3,070<br>
Workstudy<br>
Federal Work-Study (FWS) $2,675<br>
Loan<br>
Federal Stafford Loan $2,625<br>
Total Financial Aid Eligibility $16,420 </p>

<p>Only grants...They haven't mentioned any university grant/scholarship... :S</p>

<p>Pell and SEOG are awarded to low income students. You qualified for that.</p>

<p>Financial Aid Eligibility $16,420 and what was your FAFSA EFC??? do you know</p>

<p>You say they didn't mention University Grants but Penn Grant $3,070
you show a Penn Grant......what do you think that is? It is OPM [other people's money] that you don't pay back.</p>

<p>Call financial aid.</p>

<p>My FAFSA EFC was 0. My father's taxable income is only $11000, thats why...</p>

<p>Oh..and I didn't notice the Penn Grant. I read it as Pell grant...went through it in a hurry, it seems. Sorry. -_-</p>

<p>Can this award be appealed if I call financial aid?!</p>

<p>Of course..........not only can you appeal but you can have a regular discussion, find some alternatives and get an explanation. Don't panic. These are reasonable people in Financial Aid. I repeat Don't Panic.</p>

<p>I was reading something about appealing your financial aid and they said bring (or have with you since it doesn't seem like you live close to Penn) all your financial documents and paint them a clear picture why you don't have that kind of money. Only if you provide solid facts are they going to increase your financial aid, which it seems like you have. If your federal EFC was $0 then they should by no means expect you to pay $28,000. Definitely give them a call but know what you are going to say and state your facts. Good luck</p>