<p>We're still waiting on Cornell's financial aid letter.</p>
<p>My son was admitted to Columbia University and University of Chicago. Both gave him grants of approximately $20,000, small loans, work\study and we pay our EFC of approximately $23,000. Since our flagship state university gave NO grants\scholarships of any kind it will cost no more to send our son to Columbia or Chicago than University of Illinois-YEAH!!!</p>
<p>I'm really anxious to find out how Cornell's offer will compare. Can anyone share? (details if you feel comfortable)</p>
<p>It was structured a little differently than the others...........more in loans for our son and less for us to pay..............we will probably let our son take out the subsidized Stafford and Perkins loan (interest doesn't start running until you graduate) and refuse the loans that start accrueing interest when disbursed. When we do this and assume we, as parents, will cover the difference, then Cornell costs $2,000 more than Columbia or Chicago. </p>
<p>For me, the financial aid package was larger than other schools by 3k; however, there were more loans. </p>
<p>From what I understand, the financial aid office told me that the interest on all loans (save the Cornell Key Bank or something loan; that starts when you enroll I believe) doesn't start until the student graduates or takes a leave of absence.</p>
<p>Has anyone done work study? It seems that having a job while at school sort of ruins the whole college experience. Makes less time for social activities and school work. If I am offered work study, can I decline it in favor of more loans or greater parental contribution, or just working more hours over the summer for my contribution?</p>
<p>Yes, the Cornell Key loans do start to accrue when disbursed. I called and checked. So we would refuse those.</p>
<p>Yes, you can refuse work-study. I figure my kid will work study because I am paying a lot and he will have to cover his personal expenses. I worked in college. I figure in his field (physics intended major) that lots of students will be trying to work and gain experience in the field. It will be more common than not to try to work for physics majors imo. </p>
<p>"Cornell 00000/45, Columbia 32/47, WashU 28/44"</p>
<p>Wow, that really surprises me. I thought it would be at least in the ball park. It's so different, it seems odd, did you try calling them up and saying "Well, columbia gave me 32,000" They'll probably increase the aid pasckage if you call them soon.</p>
<p>I forgot to mention. . .I do notice that Cornell shifts a bit more cost to the student, and away from the parent quite a bit.</p>
<p>This actually works to a lot of people's favor. If, rather than delegating this cost to the student, they put it as part of the EFC, any outside scholarships would come off grants after the student section is gone (most schools do this), however, by having a larger proportion student contribution, the parent can pay it if they really feel they can, and at the same time a substantial outside scholarship can be used without cutting into grant money.</p>
<p>I doubt it; I went to the financial aid office a few days ago, and told them that what Johns Hopkins had given me. They told me that unless something drastic happens (and consequently alters your financial situation significantly), the given financial aid package wouldn't change.</p>
<p>"Has anyone done work study? It seems that having a job while at school sort of ruins the whole college experience. Makes less time for social activities and school work. If I am offered work study, can I decline it in favor of more loans or greater parental contribution, or just working more hours over the summer for my contribution?"</p>
<p>Studies show that students who work part-time during college consistently outperform their unemployed counterparts. At Cornell there is actually a limit to how much work-study hours you can take on per week and all work is located on campus. It's a wonderful way to form contacts with the administration and faculty while remaining an active, productive member of the Cornell community. Furthermore, the other posters are right, work-study is not required, you only earn as much as you feel like working. However, given what I just said, if work-study doesn't sound like a great part of the college experience, you're either nearsighted or lazy. I encourage you to do it, I definitely will.</p>
<p>Do all students get the same responsibility? for example, each is responsible for about 10k in costs?? cause that about doubles expenses for my family- student loans are not really aid lol just delayed doom!!!</p>
<p>Underrepresented minority. In other words, a URM group is a group that, in relation to its ethnic representation in the U.S. population, is represented less than the population breakdown would suggest.</p>
<p>If the U.S. pop. is made up of 30% widgets but at Cornell, widgets form only 2% of the student body, widgets are a URM at Cornell.</p>
<p>i really doubt being URM helps....it's all about the EFC from the FAFSA...i had a friend from Puerto Rico (full hispanic heritage) but her family makes like 300k a year and she got 0$ from everywhere (yale, pton, etc)</p>
<p>EFC for FAFSA doesn't matter as much for the Profile schools. Each office has there way of calculating their own EFC's using you assets, savings, blah blah blah.</p>