<p>Much has been said on the UR website regarding their great financial aid; the site tells people not to assume that they will not qualify. Yet, when I look at last years posts on CC, I see many applicants who were dissatisfied. Does anyone here know of anyone who has received good aid or the Presidential Scholarship?</p>
<p>Students who were named as finalists for Richmond Scholars were awarded the Presidential Scholarship of $15,000 a year, they are on campus now to interview for the final awards. As for need, ( my oldest S is there now) , Richmond promises to meet 100% of your need, as determined by their cost of attendance minus your EFC. Whatever that number is, it is my experience in the last two years that Richmond will meet that need with a combination of grants and loans.</p>
<p>Thank you for the update. In previous years, UR also gave some Presidentials to perspective students not considered for the Richmond Scholars. Guess that changed this year.</p>
<p>they still might have. those few might not have spoken up here…</p>
<p>I don’t have the exact numbers in front of me so this may be a little inaccurate…My daughter is a freshman at UR (and loving it!!). Total cost of attendance is somewhere around $51k. Our FAFSA with two kids in college put our family contribution at about $12k. Of the remaining $39k of need, the vast majority ($28k??) was in the form of grants. We were very satisfied with the FA package. It costs us less to send her to an OOS private than to a PA state school.</p>
<p>Do you recall if the the FA award information come with the admissions packet?</p>
<p>Thanks, PAVenturer. Guess we will just have to wait now… </p>
<p>What is your daughter majoring in?</p>
<p>I was accepted ED last year and if I recall, we had to send in some preliminary financial stuff since it was pre-FAFSA time, but I did get financial aid info with my acceptance. As PAVenturer indicated, UR commits to meeting 100% of need and that can be a moving target up until the tuition bill is paid. I know my financial package changed about 4 times over the summer based on scholarships received, Stafford loans applied, etc. The bulk of my aid came in the form of a “University Grant.” It is a relief to know that my family won’t be in a position to have to pay more than it can afford (well at least based on our FAFSA!)</p>
<p>PAdventurer, so was the remaining $11k of the package in the form of loans and work study?</p>
<p>Chamomille - the balance was loans and work.</p>
<p>She was admitted ED last year. We had to provide a preliminary FAFSA in January and they, in turn, gave us estimated FA. The actual FA was identical to the estimated. If I recall, the order of events was: Notification of acceptance, submit estimated FAFSA, get estimated FA, submit real FAFSA, get real FA. I think the real FA came in May. I am not sure how the timeline works for RD admissions.</p>
<p>NJ Mom - Majors aren’t declared until sophmore year. She has an opportunity to design her own major. She is considering that route which would result in something resembling World Cultures. Her other plan is what she has had in mind for several years and that is Religion. Her intent at this point is to pursue a Masters in Divinity and become an ordained Lutheran Pastor.</p>
<p>Oh - NewJerseyMom - I think the majority of people not satisfied with the FA have high EFCs which will lower the “need”. UR seems to be very generous with grants as they relate to need but there is not much in the way of merit scholarships for most students.</p>
<p>While UR doesn’t offer merit scholarships for most students, they do offer a generous amount of merit aid. First-year applicants who apply by December 1 compete for 45 Richmond Scholar awards. Eleven of these awards include full tuition, room and board. The remainder include full tuition: </p>
<p><a href=“http://scholars.richmond.edu/program/index.html[/url]”>http://scholars.richmond.edu/program/index.html</a></p>
<p>DD returned yesterday from three days at UR where she competed as one of 84 students for these 45 Richmond Scholar awards. 45/84 = 53.6% of these students will receive at least full tuition. The remaining 39 students will receive the $15,000/yr Presidential Scholarship. Financial aid will be available for those scholars who qualify for any remaining need. </p>
<p>Certainly, this is one of the most generous merit scholarship programs. In addition, UR is a breathtaking, famously beautiful campus with a cafeteria rated in the top 5 by Princeton Review. UR has much to offer.</p>
<p>Congratulations Victor! We were hoping for a Richmond Scholar award last year. But, alas, there is some tough competition at UR! I hope your daughter loves UR as much as mine does. My daughter was something of an introvert in HS. She has blossomed! She is in a Ballroom Dance club, a Swing Dance club, a Rock Climbing Club, Campus Ministries and has an incredible roommate. The next few months are action packed - enjoy!</p>
<p>PAVENTURER - can you elaborate on the 11K loans and work study - that seems excessive - would you mind pulling the FA paperwork and list the exact amounts and names of the grants / loans / work study you received. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>I have the real numbers:</p>
<p>Grants: $34,050
Work Study: $1500
Fed Subsidized Loan: $3500
Fed Unsubsidized: $2000</p>
<p>PAventurer - Yeah that looks good. I didn’t think it was 11K. Great aid for ya. My son is applying to UR this fall and my EFC is just about where yours is at so I’m glad to see the above. :)</p>
<p>Just found out today that our EFC next year will be more because our son will have graduated college - even though he will be in law school. Some may say that we will have more money for tuition because my son is no longer in college. However, we will be helping him out with law school. Pretty upset because even if we get some aid this year, we will not get it for years 2 though 4.</p>
<p>I hate the EFC formula. We have twins in college which reduces the EFC for each but combined it is still a boatload. With all the cuts to education coming I don’t think I will be expecting a new more sensible formula being introduced any time soon. Our daughter will be pursuing a Master’s after her undergrad. We will help if we’re not on the poor farm by then!</p>
<p>I always appreciate your posts PAVenturer. Thanks for staying on the boards!</p>