Financial Aid questions

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Santa Barbara
1

<p>First, when does the Official Award Letter arrive? If it doesn't say UNOFFICIAL in my award letter, does it necessary mean it's official? or does it need to say OFFICIAL or will I receive that during September?</p>

<p>Second, since my award letter doesn't say "UNOFFICIAL" and if it is Official, that means my grants/scholarship/loan offers are almost finalized. Does that mean the school already checked my FAFSA and my checking account? Because I am receiving about $10,000 from family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc) next week and I want to spend about $4,000 towards the college (so that I don't have to take out $10k loan) I'm worried that if I put $10k in my checking account, school might make me pay entire $10k for tuition. Is $10k too much money to put into my own checking account? Or has the school checked my bank records already and won't check it again until next year?</p>

2

<p>Yes, the school has already checked your FAFSA and your checking account. I had the same situation, but since you’ve already received an award letter, whether official or not, the school has checked everything and you are safe to deposit money into your account without it affecting your financial aid award.</p>