Financial Aid??

<p>I found out today I was accepted, and I'm THRILLED :)
However, I'm concerned about financial aid.
My family's EFC is only $5k...as W&M is a public school and I am OOS, how do you think my fin aid package will be and do you know when we get them?
I'm a bit worried because this could be a deal breaker, but we'll see.</p>

<p>Check out Gateway William and Mary. Not sure if it's only for instate or if anyone below a certain annual income qualifies. Much info on their Website. Those that qualify, can get a laptop, too!</p>

<p>Here is a quick link to W&M's Gateway page: <a href="http://www.wm.edu/gateway/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.wm.edu/gateway/&lt;/a>. Sorry if this was already posted in another thread.</p>

<p>Also, do not hesitate to give the Financial Aid Office a call or send an email (I had more luck with emails).</p>

<p>I'm pretty sure that Gateway W&M does not apply to out of state students...</p>

<p>Grrrr Gateway is only for Virginians :(
oh well i will send an email anyway, can't hurt.
anyone have any other experiences OOS with financial aid?</p>

<p>Gateway is only for qualified Virginians whose families have a total income of 40K or less. That is very little, and really only those on free or reduced lunch have a chance. At least Gateway is a good program in principle.</p>

<p>Back to the original question: Does anyone know when the FA offers get sent out? Anyone (RD) received one yet? My D's only two-for-six in financial offers so far and the anticipation is almost worse than hearing about acceptances.</p>

<p>Daughter's acceptance letter received today said students should hear about financial aid 7-10 days after acceptance letter.</p>

<p>Daughter received hers yesterday, too. Very favorable.</p>

<p>i got my financial aid letter yesterday. about two minutes after skimming over the letter i got a call from two very friendly ladies from the financial aid office and admissions. they were asking if i had any questions.
quite nice of them to call.</p>

<p>lotrfan, are you in state?</p>

<p>W&M goes by the FAFSA almost to the penny. They met about 77% of demonstrated need. First part will be $3500 Stafford loan, then work study, then some grant. You should probably plan on paying your EFC plus 13-15% of that amount subtracted from the COA. This was OOS. Gateway benefits apply only to instate.</p>

<p>yeah, i'm in-state.
actually, WM met 100% of my financial need. however, i was qualified and received Gateway WM...this might have something to do with it?</p>

<p>lotrfan, they met 100% in grants? No work study or loans?</p>

<p>W&M will meet closer to 100% of need for instate students. Those instate with incomes below a certain level benefit from the Gateway program which I believe provides all grants. OOS students do a wonderful job of subsiding instate students. Residents should thank their lucky stars everyday for the awesome choices you have in public education in Virginia.</p>

<p>Most of us Virginians realize how fortunately we are with W&M AND UVA as state schools, Blue Jay. Daughter was accpeted to both schools and now the big decision, which one. I truly am leaning W&M because of the elitist nature at UVA. Seems OOS'ers think they are far superior to instate candidates. Not quite feeling that same vibe so far from W&M</p>

<p>Momray: Sorry if I came off with a slight attitude. I wouldn't say that OOS think they are superior. our student is very thankful to be attending W&M. We're just so incredibly jealous when it comes time to write the checks! What's great about Virginia is that it's not just W&M and UVA but the schools a notch or two down are still more than respectable colleges with awesome price tags.</p>

<p>Didn't note an attitude, bluejay. Was more venting on some irksome UVA posters.</p>

<p>"I truly am leaning W&M because of the elitist nature at UVA"</p>

<p>momray, there is an elitist presence at W&M too, but students are generally not as blunt about saying "we're better than UVA, JMU, etc." </p>

<p>I also do feel fortunate that VA has two great public universities with UVA and W&M. Schools like JMU and VT are considered safeties here, but in most states, JMU or VT would be the flagship school, hope that makes sense. We're very fortunate that our public higher ed is really good.</p>

<p>Out of staters also look deeply into Richmond or Washington and Lee too for those who want to go to an LAC, and they are quasi-W&M to say the least... We do have many great schools here and I'm glad we do.</p>

<p>I noticed some people say they received the gateway "scholarship" I know what it says online but what did your award letter say? Will u pay the EFC and that's it, was there work factored into it, what's going on???</p>