<p>@dreamupsidedown</p>
<p>April 2ish- I call CMU and they say my FA package was in the mail.
April 10th- I call and say that I should have received my package in the mail by now because I live in Pittsburgh. They tell me the person I called on the 2nd must of confused me with another applicant. Then they tell me they need additional proof of citizenship for my application.
April 13th- I fax my proof of citizenship
April 15th- I ask if they received my document and they say Yes! even though I never told them my name in the conversation >.<
April 20th- They say they have not received my proof of citizenship because fax machines are a week behind. Then they tell me I still need to sign the CMU FA document.
April 20th (1 hour later)- My father actually called and I had no idea. They told him that I had everything and nothing was actually missing.
April 22th- Where I Am In the Process Page is complete
April 23th- I call and ask how long it takes to create a package? Lady on the phone says oh thats weird for someone reason no one has attempted to create your package yet >.<
April 26th- Receive FA package in email</p>
<p>Now you might ask Why do you have the nerve the constantly call them over and over again? Even though I did call them continuously it still took them a month to fix the mess. I really didn’t want to pester them but I had to to make sure I could actually afford CMU before I violated my ED agreement and placed a deposit somewhere else. If I did not contact CMU I highly doubt I would have received a FA package before May 1st.</p>
<p>Moral of the story: Call Call Call!!!</p>
<p>And call the accepted students number 412.268.4646</p>
<p>I’ve been emailing them a lot recently because I noticed that it said my financial aid application was not signed (even though it was). They said that there must have been a mistake on my portal and that everything was definitely complete… I have a feeling that’s why my package got held up. Luckily I’m on the waitlist so I don’t have to respond by May 1st, but I only have 4 extra days (by May 5th) so it’s still kind of inconvenient if I get accepted…</p>
<p>There was also an error on my FAFSA, apparently… UW-Madison pointed it out and had it resent to all of my schools. But that still shouldn’t be that much of a hold up because it took NYU less than a week to figure out and it only affected my Pell Grant eligibility (it only changed my EFC by a small amount).</p>
<p>What’s the deadline for confirming a Financial Aid package?</p>
<p>@ dream
Don’t worry- there are lots of mistakes happening this year in processing and record keeping - I think they were caught off guard with record growth again.
If it involves Finaid - don’t email-- CALL CALL CALL…they will pull your folder on the spot and see what’s there and what’s not there. Good chance it’s an error and can be fixed while you are on the phone.
Crossing fingers for you that you get good news about the WL any day now!</p>
<p>@ steelers
You don’t “confirm” a fin aid package-- they gave you money- count your lucky stars for that blessing. When your invoice arrives, it will reflect the scholarships/grant money you were awarded-- that’s all that there is - no action on your part needed.</p>
<p>If you were offered any type of subsidized or unsubsidized loan- and you want the money…follow the links for starting the loan borrowing process. PNC is probably your best bet-- they’re local for you and CMU’s preferred (but no obligation) lending partner. Any bank can be used-- the rate is fixed by the govt. Some parents will find that their employer’s credit union or local bank shaves off a qurater or even a half a point off interest rates-- so have your parents ask if that applies. This is a nice deal when it comes time to pay the interest ! If you don’t want the loans-- do nothing…they will not be deducted from your invoice unless you borrow money by signing a promissory note with a bank/lender.</p>
<p>If you have work study- you don’t get the money until you get a job and get a paycheck…so again, nothing to do here…it is there if you want it and nothing happens if you don’t want it…</p>
<p>Also, the Tuition Management Plan is a great way to spread out the cost of the CMU invoice over ten months in equal dispersements at NO interest charge-- just a $70 one time enrollment fee. Say after all your grants and borrowing you still owe $20k - you can set it up to pay $2000 per month rather than have to pay $10,000 in August and again in January to CMU. That’s free money-- you can keep your money in the bank earning interest rather than pay it all up front. Most universities offer some sort of similar payment plan. </p>
<p>COngrats on getting money-- took a few phone calls for you! Persistance paid off…</p>