Financial Aid Questions?!

<p>I didn't send in the 2011-2012 Financial Aid Award Notice because there wasn't anything I wanted to decline or reduce. I am not receiving any additional financial aid, but if I win scholarships later in the year, how should I report it? Ex: If I win a $500 scholarship from my school or something in May or June, do I have to report it on the FA Award Notice paper and mail it in?
Also, I wanted to know what the "Freshman Experience Fee", "Personal", and "Transportation (UG Reg) meant, though I have a general idea. </p>

<p>THANK YOU for any info!!</p>

<p>You do need to let the school know about additional scholarships you receive. You can just send them an email to let them know.</p>

<p>The budget on which aid is awarded includes allowances for personal expenses and transportation costs during the school year. You have control over these expenses … the more frugal you are, the less your expenses will be.</p>

<p>I think the Freshman Experience is an optional program that you can do before school begins. It costs money, so if you are watching the dollars, you may want to think carefully about doing FE.</p>

<p>Add up your tuition, room, board, and fees. Subtract the grants/scholarship total. This is what you will owe the school.</p>

<p>I DON’T THINK this optional FRESHMAN EXPERIENCE program actually exists as the above poster describes it. </p>

<p>I am pretty sure it is simply a fee for the extensive programming done on The Commons, where you live as a freshman (hence the name).</p>

<p>While I think zmoose is correct, there were optional programs such as what kelsmom described a number of years back. You did an off campus experience such as camping, rafting, etc. to establish a bond with a small group of peers in the incoming freshman class. Neither of my kids did this, but I do remember seeing the literature. I guess once The Commons came online, they decided to focus on building a cohesive class through on-campus programming.</p>

<p>They got rid of all the optional activities like Squirrel Camp. zmoose is correct.</p>

<p>My D is a senior, so my experience is from “way back.” Sorry.</p>