<p>I'm just wondering how generous Smith is with financial aid? The financial aid package they gave my sister still puts the cost of attending at over $10k over our EFC. She really really likes Smith, but I'm not sure if it's going to be financially feasible for us...</p>
<p>Has this been everyone else's experience? Is this negotiable, or is it a take it or leave it proposition?</p>
<p>I wonder about that too - my EFC was 21'000. Smith did not give me one cent. I do think it is negotiable. The question is just to what extent. (For me, it makes almost no sense to negotiate - but for you sister, the difference is much smaller!)</p>
<p>We negotiated but a) we had better FinAid offers from sister institutions and b) I'm self-employed and so my tax returns had elements that could genuinely be disputed as to what constituted "income" or not, thus giving them a face-saving way to re-evaluate without looking bad.</p>
<p>Financial aid was the only subject of negative commentary on the survey I recently returned to Smith but there the criticism was multi-faceted. Except for the people...the FinAid people themselves have been good to work with and to talk to. It's just that the decisions aren't always good. Or, imo, justified. But I suspect it's like budgets everywhere: they meet them however they have to do it.</p>
<p>You can usually negotiate your financial aid package, I would definitely try at least. I'm surprised that they gave you a package so far over your EFC, because I was literally just at an info session where an admissions rep said that Smith meets 100% of your need over EFC, in a combination of grants and loans. Of course, the formula they use is a little bit different than the FAFSA formula, because as I'm sure you know, they incorporate the CSS report as well. Anyway, I would try and negotiate, it can't hurt.</p>
<p>I think I found the problem. Turns out, my parents didn't file their taxes until YESTERDAY. @#$@#%@#!!!! So I guess their 2006 tax return was not available when my sister submitted her applications. That may explain why we hadn't gotten any financial aid from MHC yet, and why the Smith offer was so low...</p>
<p>I guess we'll have to call Smith and MHC and try to re-file the financial aid info with them, or something. I wonder if we have to re-file FAFSA, too. </p>
<p>Anyone have any advice? Is this a common occurence?</p>
<p>my only advice is do as much of your communication as possible via email, so that their responses are in writing. </p>
<p>good luck!</p>
<p>Amen about communicating by e-mail so there's a paper trail. Actually...I often will have a phone conversation if it's time-critical and then send an e-mail that begins, "Per our discussion...." confirming the salient points.</p>