Financial Aid Questions

<p>Package:
Grants: 22k
Loans: 2.5k
EFC: 17.5 k</p>

<p>1) Why didn't I get work study? Can I ask for work study and reduce my loans or help with my EFC?
2) Will my offer likely change in the spring? My income might be a little lower than expected and medical expenses will be higher. But could it get worse?
3) What beyond the $17.5k will I end up paying? I know if I get 25 in financial aid, that leaves about $15k in room and board and $2k in personal expenses. But $2k won't cover plane tickets, personal purchases, and books. How much will I really end up paying?
4) Is there any way I can negotiate my financial aid offer, at least by about $2k?</p>

<p>hmm..that's weird..I thought Stanford's financial aid policy is such that they first deduct 4k in loans and 2k in work-study, and then fill the rest with grants....That said, I think you got a better deal than most of us...According to the normal system you would have gotten Grants: 18.5k, Loans:4k, Work-study:2k</p>

<p>But then I may be wrong about this..Does anyone care to clarify?</p>

<p>No, actually, I talked to people who were getting no work-study and only 2k loans, so I think it varies.</p>

<p>An interesting question, but basically I forgot to apply for financial aid EA. I got deferred, so can I apply for it RD since i'll be reconisdered then? By the way, is it even worth it considering I'm an only child (divorced parents) whose mom makes 6 figures, and both father and step-mom make in the high 5's?</p>

<p>in stanford's financial aid handbook thingy they sent you in the acceptance package, i thought i remember it saying something like they expect you to contribute (you not your parents) at least 6000 a year. this can come out of your savings or work-study. I know for sure they want some of the contribution to come from you, the student, but im not sure this is the exact policy. someone wanna prove or disprove me?</p>

<p>The financial aid handbook says this:</p>

<p>"At Stanford, the first component of your aid package is
self-help, which is defined as the combination of student
loans and student earnings during the academic year. The
standard self-help expectation amount is $6,000 per
academic year. This means that we expect you to borrow
and/or earn the first $6,000 of your financial aid award
each year. If your financial need is higher than $6,000,
we will award grant and scholarship funds to meet your
remaining financial need."</p>

<p>but i guess not in all cases....?</p>