<p>@Cygne - Ditto. I'm hoping for something good from Smith. :|</p>
<p>Hate to be a spoilsport, but my Smith aid was not as good as the MHC thing...I got the STRIDE at Smith and no need-based FA, and the STRIDE is only worth 15k a year, as opposed to the 21st Century thing, which is 20k. Hmmm. </p>
<p>Good luck to all of you though, I hope your aid stuff works out!</p>
<p>Maybe it's different for everyone? I dunno, but I HOPE. :(</p>
<p>Ah, yes, Smith just came in today, and their package is a bit more attractive. Not a lot, but if I manage to get any outside merit scholarships, the Smith's policy for those will make a big difference. (MHC just reduces grants, whereas Smith firsts cuts family contribution to your FAFSA EFC, then reduces loans, then grants.)</p>
<p>My Smith was pretty bad too. :( But, I did get a Pell. We'll see how things go. I think I'm going to phone the FA office and explain my situation if push comes to shove. ;)</p>
<p>Cygne- MHC doesn't reduce grant money until your outside scholarships total over $2500 and even then it is a percentage, not the entire scholarship amount. </p>
<p>Take a look at this page:</p>
<p>Mount</a> Holyoke College :: Non-College Scholarship Policies</p>
<p>Hmm...Maybe I was reading something out of date? I'm not sure...</p>
<p>Cygne- I got very similar fin aid. 21st century scholars, grant, plus 14k a year from my parent contribution, and 5k student contribution, along with a bit of work study. I know I'll end up paying for the whole thing myself, but it was decent, at least.</p>
<p>Did anyone get better fin aid elsewhere? American U gave me a good bit of merit scholarships, but it was pretty similar. (about 5k more)</p>
<p>the PIN number for FA is not the same as you MHC student password - the pin is sent separately from the FA office - mine was sent to my SPAM folder so maybe try checking yours???:)</p>