So I got an email saying my financial aid award was available to view and I looked at it, and it wasn’t really that, well, helpful. They have me listed for federal work study, federal stafford, and some other federal loan. So does that mean they aren’t offering me any financial assistance from WashU whatsoever? Im confused because I’m not rich by any means. In fact, the supposedly good FinAid office was what made WashU one of my only realistic chances at an upper tier school like this.
I’m just super confused.
My DS received his financial aid award today as well and to say that I am very disappointed is underestimating it. They included work study, stafford, and perkins loans and gave him some need based scholarship but even after all of that, his need is too high. I don’t understand why it’s so different from their net price calculator. We haven’t received finaid offers from many of my DS’ schools but the one that we did receive was totally in line with their calculator. WashU did offer an enrollment and housing deposit waiver and a free visit though but considering the price they expect us to pay, that’s just a little drop in a sea. 8-|
For an international student like myself, all I received was the Thomas Eliot Scholarship, which fortunately meets my need (considerably high), and I’m super grateful for that.
@DougNguyen97 What did you use to calculate your need? I think my need is pretty high but they offered me a relatively low financial aid, although I heard that they haven’t offer any financial aid to Chinese undergraduate student before. I have sent them an email to them. I am worried that whether they would revoke my offer just because I try to get more financial aid…
The email is like this:
Hello
Thank you so much!
I have received my financial aid information today and I’m a little confused about the result.
I have only got a $6700 award of Hudson Scholarship and after I checked my CSS profile, I found out that the exact number of my family income from last year is $46316. Under this condition, still, only by spending all money made in their whole life would my parents be able to afford my education.
Could you help me explain how the scholarship was settled to be $6700? Is that because of the value of the real-estate? Our house actually belongs to the government and I don’t think we can get a mortgage on it to get any money for my education.
In addition, my twin sister is going to college at the same time, and the cost of her education would be a huge expense for my family too.
Thank you very much for offering a scholarship, but it is still really hard for my family to pay for a such high tuition. Is there anyway that the amount need-based scholarship can be increased?
WUSTL is the school I really want to attend (one of the only two research universities offering interaction design course), and it would be extremely regretful for me to give up this opportunity just because my family cannot pay for it.
Thank you!
Mingpu Hu
@mhuelvis I think it’s pretty common that students inquire the financial aid office and ask for clarification/more grants after decisions have been released. I highly doubt it if that would hurt your previous package 
@DougNguyen97 Is it possible that they revoke my offer just because I ask them for more grants? Thank you!
They only offered $6700 on an income of $46,000? Sounds like a mistake. Are you an international student?
