<p>Hey. I'm in NJ and still haven't gotten my Financial Aid. I was given a travel grant to fly out to WUSTL for free and would like to take them up on their offer, but I need to know my financial aid first. If I find out Im getting no aid, I wont make the trip because there is no way I would go to Wash U. However, if I do get some financial aid, I would definitely fly out and visit (I have never been before) because it would be a major possibility for next year. Anyone have an idea when I should hear back? My FA info is not on the WashU website when I tried logging on.</p>
<p>And another question- someone said that if they are flying me out to Wash U (which I know they do for many students) they are going to want me, thus I should expect some sort of merit aid. Any idea if this is true? Should I kinda suspect some aid considering I got the travel grant?</p>
<p>WashU really doesn’t give “merit aid” except through the (very competitive) scholarship programs (Compton, Danforth, etc.), and you have to apply separately for those. I have heard that ‘named’ financial aid awards can be given with some regard to merit though, but a less meritorious student in the same situation would probably just get the same amount of money under some other sort of need-based ‘scholarship.’ </p>
<p>I don’t think it’s particularly odd that you shouldn’t have received your FA package yet, although I don’t remember the timeline really. You should probably call if you need an answer quickly. Congrats on your acceptance!</p>
<p>All merit only recipients have been notified. Remaining aid is either merit/need or need only. I would call financial aid as soon as possible and ask them about your situation. I am sure that you will find them to be very helpfull.</p>
<p>Right, WashU doesn’t give merit aid. Almost none of the top 30 schools give merit aid. WashU is flying you out there so you can experience the school and see if you like it or not. Did you apply for need-based aid? because unless you applied to specific colleges (wrote extra essays, etc), you won’t get any other type of aid. </p>
<p>by the way, WashU is flying out MOST of the accepted students. Receiving a travel grant doesn’t mean you are wanted more than other students.</p>
<p>nooob - WashU does give merit only awards. This year there will be approximately 200 merit only awards for the next freshman class. Most merit awards are between 1/2 tuition to full tuition plus an annual stipend. Yes, these had to be applied for with a separate application.</p>
<p>I got a letter in the mail on Monday from WUSTL Finaid, but it was addressed to someone in New Jersey (I live in New York). I put it back in the mailbox to be redelivered, maybe it was yours? lol</p>
<p>I got a letter saying that since I’m a finalist, I will receive my FA information after they decide on the scholars. Do you think as long as my scholarship matches my EFC, I can get a full ride?</p>
<p>So…I still have not recieved anything in the mail in regards to FA, so I called my Financial Assistance counselor at Wash U to see what was up. He told me that I did not qualify for any need-based FA. I am very surprised. Mind you, I did not fill out my FA forms (Fafsa, etc.) but I was expecting to get at least something (not a full ride, but a couple grand.) The FA counselor at Wash U was extremely nice and told me all I had to do was talk to my parents and call back whenever and we could discuss FA, figure out why we did not qualify, and he even said they will look at my file again and see if I infact can qualify for some aid, after my parents talk to him and give him some financial updates, explain anything that may not have gotten through to him.
Basically, if I dont get any aid, I can’t go to Wash U. If anyone has been in this “got no/little aid when expected to get more” situation and could provide any tips on how to deal with reps from colleges, how to talk to them, what specifically to bring up, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!</p>
<p>“I did not fill out my FA forms (Fafsa, etc.)” …I assume that you didn’t skip the FFP-EZ/CSS Profile, right? Because those are pretty important, if they’re included in “etc.” :)</p>
<p>Otherwise, you should probably try find (at least an estimate of) your EFC. If that’s lower than the cost of attending, it’ll be your best argument in their eyes, imo. Or do they already have your EFC?</p>
<p>cre90 - Not sure that I understand your post. If you did not fill out the FA documents, then on what basis did you expect FA? Try to work with the FA people as quickly as possible. They may still be able to work something out. Your choices were; 1) Merit only aid - which involved additional applications or 2) merit need or need only aid - which require financial info. WashU is not just going to give money if there is not a basis for giving the money.</p>
<p>I don’t know whether to call the FA office now or wait for the results of other colleges to be announced. Wash U does seem like a nice university to us. Only the COA is prohibitive.
Paying more than $50K/year is not easy in today’s economy.</p>
<p>for those of you who haven’t received letters stating your award,
there was some mix-up in the post office and they put the wrong bar codes on letters so some have been sent to the wrong place (or so I was told on the phone). Anyway, if you haven’t received yours yet, calling them would be a good idea.</p>