<p>I submitted my documents last sunday. I actually faxed everything in on the 21st or 22nd but had to prove my citizenship. I waited around awhile because I was trying to find a way to prove it without having to send in a financial aid letter. Having an EFC of 0 meant that I basically got a full ride, not counting work study and student contribution, at my all colleges so I was afraid Gates would look unfavorably upon that. However, I decided the heck with it and just sent it in on Sunday. So, technically, completed it on Sunday</p>
<p>JHovah, sorry if you've been getting confused. It's really a different situation for every person since schools have different ways of determining financial aid. My EFC is 0, but my college still gave me "student contribution" that I was expected to pay as part of the family responsibility. My school will let Gates pay for my student contribution, but won't let Gates cover expected parent contribution. Thankfully, my expected parent contribution is 0, so no worries!</p>
<p>I would just recommend calling the GMS organization that represents you and/or your university. I needed to know this information because I couldn't pick a school without knowing how I was going to pay for it!</p>
<p>Hamman,</p>
<p>Don't worry about having generous financial aid packages. It wasn't a problem for me.</p>
<p>For those of you with a 0 EFC: It does not mean that you will be in it for a full-ride and Gates will certainly not look down upon that. It all varies by school. Some school might say they meet you 100% but they will include loans in their financial aid package. Decline those loans and it will become your unmet need, which Gates will cover.</p>
<p>yeah, the only thing I'm worried about is that I had to send in my FA letter. Did you guys have to send in your FA letter? People usually only do that after they've been selected as scholars.</p>
<p>well still havent heard anything, and yeah I received hatred surprisingly not from people that did not make it to finals but from my so called friend that said he will be mad if i get it, mostly because my dad's income is higehr than his, but then my dad does not own anything. GRR from the 5 finalists from my school so far 3 are scholars and the other 2 are still waiting and the wait is awful</p>
<p>btw I have heard that some schools when they hear that a student has gates, then they take away some of the money from the financial aid offer to the student, in the end it does not affect the student and in fact helps other students that can receive more aide. Gates just pays more basically</p>
<p>Ok thanks guys! I have till may 1st, to decide which college. So I should begin analyzing all of my colleges' financial aid letter.</p>
<p>Congrats to new scholars and best hopes to those waitings!</p>
<p>And as for haters. No haters at my school. People have been congratulating me left and right. My whole school knows who I am, and they were confident that I was going to get it. There were about 200 seniors who applied and I am the only who got it, the rest got rejected. Those who applied came up to me personally and congratulated me. Some I didn't even know. People who I don't know, know me. There might be people who are jealous, but I'm very known and one of the most respected students.</p>
<p>i have a dilemma.</p>
<p>i won gates, but hadnt realized they didnt cover your expected family contribution. i applied to another scholarship the day before gates notified me and i rescinded my application but they told me they wanted to keep me in the running just in case some need like this popped up. this scholarship organization is working with my school and will only choose one student from here. the money they will give each year is enough to cover over a few hundred dollars over what i need for my EFC each year. i'd probably win, but i don't want to take the money away from other kids who haven't won any magnificent scholarships. it's either 0 debt and think about myself, or think about my classmates (none of which i am close with) and leave undergrad with a relatively small debt...?</p>
<p>aladdinAWNW: I'd faced a similar dilemma. I withdrew from several scholarships after I found out I won Gates in order to give other people the money they need for school. I am lucky that the school I go to covers my EFC with grants so I am basically debt free. Your situation is more difficult to decide. If I was stuck in your shoes, I would give up that scholarship because I would work part-time over the summer to cover the few hundred dollars. But that's just my take at it.</p>
<p>Hey Aladdinaww, so I take it your efc isn't 0? What's your efc?...and do you know how school's determine students' contribution</p>
<p>Hey guys!</p>
<p>Where do they put student contribution and efc on the financial award paper? On all of my financial aid letters, the have different award sources but nothing is mentions my efc or student contribution. Does this mean there isn't any?</p>
<p>I know for a fact my efc is 0. But have no idea what my student contribution is. Help me!</p>
<p>Thanks yall!</p>
<p>any new notifications from APIASF?</p>
<p>JHova08: Some letters have the information and some do not. Also, the information may be in different places on each letter. Unfortunately there is no standard. Look in the book about financial aid GMS sent with the packet, and the examples there may help you.</p>
<p>haven't received fin aid offer yet. something wrong???</p>
<p>fg13, r u a scholar? under which organization?
Am i the only one who is not a scholar yet? i hope the "yet" part is right!</p>
<p>Hahastupidme, my D called this morning and the man at gmsp said they still have a wave of awards coming out in the next 1 1/2 weeks. D still hasn't heard either!</p>
<p>what if they r the rejection letters?? AAHHH can't imagine that! i hope we all get it</p>
<p>Finally!!!! D's packet came today! It was postmarked April 1st, I guess it came Pony Express! :)</p>
<p>Hahastupidme, I'm Latino so HSF.</p>
<p>OMG...it seems that im the only asian who hasn't been notified yet...</p>