<p>Is there any way to get additional aid by contacting the Financial Aid office? Has anyone done this? We got the email but there was not much aid and we will definitely need more to be able to go. Before calling the office, I was wondering if it is even possible or if anyone has ever got them to adjust upward the package. Otherwise is there a procedure for asking?</p>
<p>Since they just published their FA info, I would say wait till Tuesday because many colleges dislike it when they get contacted so often during this critical time. Granted, tons of people will be calling on Monday. Last thing you want is to get on their nerves (which is what one of my friends did, hence no adjustment!). Gently send them an email with your concerns and follow up in a few days, in case they do not respond to your email. Hope it all goes well for you :)</p>
<p>Thanks. Appreciate the advice. But it is possible to get them to adjust it? I guess what I am asking is they do have the authority to adjust it and it is possible?</p>
<p>You’re welcome 
I don’t see why they wouldn’t have the authority. I have seen it done before with colleges; although I am not sure if GW is the same. What they give us is estimates; nothing’s definite. So you can certainly negotiate with them - the worst they can tell you is “No, we won’t adjust.” Since it is obvious you are interested in attending, I would think that they would at the very least listen to you.</p>
<p>AsPappy,
If you’ve had changes in your financial situation since filling out the FASFA you may have a good chance for adjustments. If you would like the money awarded allocated in different ways, that’s not likely from our experience (my S recently graduated). Basically, if you have an EFC of X and a need of Y, they probably came as close as possible to meeting Y, your need. Unfortunately, if your EFC of X is higher than you can really afford, which was our situation, they won’t help you with your EFC.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your advice. My “S” really wants to go to GW. Based on what I am reading on in the forum where people got 100%, I am feeling that we must be much “richer” than I think. Funny it doesn’t feel that way to me and I don’t know how we can possibly afford it.</p>
<p>Yes, our EFC was one third of our take home pay…“they” thought we were rich enough to use that to pay for our s to go to college. I didn’t quite see it the same way. Again, 100% of your need is great as long as you can afford, and have the EFC; which in our case wasn’t true. It was a huge stretch, but some how we managed. My S worked a great deal while in school, took classes at the local state university (transferable credits) during the summer and managed to finish a semester early. That really helped.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your help and advice. It is great to get this far. We will make it work.</p>
<p>AsPappy: Did you package cover close to COA less your EFC?</p>
<p>I never worked that all out. I will have to do the calculations this weekend. Is ECF = approximately one third of take home pay? And is COA the amount GW has on its website i.e., around $54,000?</p>
<p>When you filled out your FAFSA and received the SAR, it should have your EFC on it. I just know ours was approximately one third of our take home. If you didn’t fill out a FAFSA, you don’t have an EFC. COA is cost of attendance that is posted on the website, although, I haven’t looked at GW’s to see those numbers. Some schools include transportation and many “extras” in COA.</p>
<p>I did fill it out but it was a while ago. I remember it giving me a number but I have to go back and check. Thanks.</p>
<p>is it possible to get them to adjust merit aid? or only need-based?</p>
<p>awkturtle: I would think merit aid is dependant on GW’s endowment. As some students who have already received merit aid decline their offer of admission, the money is basically available for other students who initially got only a certain amount. If you have gotten some merit aid, it means you qualify for it; now, you would just like some extra added to that. So I’d say it is quite possible.</p>