So here’s the deal:
I have been accepted to BC, but they decided to be very stingy with the aid. FAFSA says my EFC is around ~$7000. However, BC wanted me to pay $25k, which is ridiculous. We appealed the package and they gave me a measly $4000 more, which barely helps anything.
Shall I escalate it to the director of F.A.? What do I do? $21k is just too much, and at this point, its completely unfair for all my hard work to go down the toilet just because of financial difficulties.
Did you apply to any other schools that were more affordable?
i completely understand your frustration.
That said, there are hundreds (thousands) of kids here every year who can’t attend the college they want because of financial issues. My D is one.
What’s the deal? Family business? Home equity? Large assets? Large family debt? Non-custodial oarent?
BC meets full need as they calculate it to be. They don’t consider consumer debt or other debt.
They DO add back in lots of business expenses for the self employed, deductions taken for rental properties. And they DO count primary home equity, assets, and the like. And incime and assets of the non-custodial parent.
@cchelp2019 Yeah, but they’re state schools, none of which I want to go to. I THOUGHT they would meet my EFC, but making me pay triple the EFC is absurd.
@thumper1: We don’t own a business. Annual income is $58k a year. I find is very hard to believe that this terrible package meets “full need”
@SouthernHope Thank you. So what is your other alternative? I hate my other options. This is absolutely inane, why can’t they go according to the EFC and that’s it?
You sound very entitled–not saying you are but that’s how you sound. The school doesn’t HAVE to give you anything. Go to the state school.
@cchelp2019 Don’t you think that saying “we meet 100% need” and not meeting 100% need is bull? I’m not trying to sound entitled, I am trying to get what is mine, and what I deserve. The school should honor whoever they accept, and give them money to go to their school.
What did BC’s own net price calculator estimate for you?
https://npc.collegeboard.org/student/app/bc
A college may calculate an EFC that is different from the FAFSA EFC.
@mg29409 you mention getting into and receiving great aid from BU and Holy Cross as well, on another thread. Are those options? How are your aid packages there?
@cchelp2019 Your attempt to demonstrate that you aren’t entitled proves the exact opposite. What exactly is it that BC has that belongs to you? The answer…nothing. They owe you nothing. You deserve nothing. That attitude will cause you problems in life. Get over yourself and choose a school that you can actually afford and make the best of your opportunities there.
“Get what’s yours and what you deserve?”
What is yours? Not the college’s money.
@ucbalumnus The calculator says my EFC should be $10k. $10k is perfectly fine for my family, but $21k? Holy hell…
Holy Cross also meets full need.
Please answer the rest of my questions. Income isn’t the only thing considered.
The school has their own calculation to determine need; they do not use Fafsa EFC. Did you run the Net Price Calculator on the BC website prior to applying? If so, and the NPC said $7k, then you’d have a legitimate beef if they then told you $25k. Otherwise, not so much.
@ReturningFavor The $50k that they supposedly “gave” me as part of my overall award was really a $40k scholarship + $10k in loans and other stuff to superficially beef up the award. I thought the whole award was $50k at first, but I was dead wrong. I really don’t see the point of putting loan values as part of an award.
@thumper1: Home is worth $162k, we still owe $90k. No family debt. Both my parents are my legal guardians.
It does seem harsh but with just 2 weeks left you need to list what schools you CAN afford and pick from those options. Be sure to have a clear and respectful discussion with your parents regarding how much they absolutely can pay and be grateful for whatever that amount is.
I am sure that you are angry, disappointed and afraid. But you have to switch gears and look at your definite affordable options, even if you want to beg bc a bit while doing so. You’ll be okay. This can be a tough time and a time of real growth.
@itsgettingreal17 If you had the smallest sense of how hard I worked to get into a good school like BC, you would understand. Clearly, you don’t.
Everyone who gets into a good school works hard.
OP, sorry you didn’t ask more questions about FA earlier. Most schools include loans in FA that “meets need”. There are only a few schools that meet full need without including loans in the package.