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<p>I probably should have phrased that better. It would be more appropriate to describe part of it as an emergency fund (in case something happens to me), and part of it as an equipment deposit (in case I break something, or many somethings). The school is currently in fine financial straits; I’ve read their annual report.</p>
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<p>So, realistically speaking, how likely is it that a lower middle-class family would be denied one of these loans for say, $3000? My parents are meeting with our bank today or tomorrow, so we’ll get an early verdict then. If that goes poorly I’ll apply with Chase or someone and see how that goes.</p>
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<p>I surmise that the school’s means of advertisement leads to less low-income students attending than if they actively recruited low-income students like some schools (this is almost tautological). That being said, all that I know about their advertising and recruitment process is limited to what I have found online, a process that may be far more extensive than I have read. </p>
<p>Additionally, the school did not advertise to me, and yet I found out about it anyway. I don’t think that more advertisement would be good for the school. It’s hard to do the calculus necessary to weigh the potential impacts that the current limited advertisement has on the student body and whether greater (or lesser) advertisement would create an objectively positive change in the composition of the student body. </p>
<p>I’m not sure how I feel about labeling these costs as a hardship either. Of course, you don’t call these costs a hardship. However, you do make the interesting point (at least, this is what I inferred from your statement) that if many low-income students attended the school then it would have a means for addressing this potential hardship. </p>
<p>I’ll respond by saying that the school replied very quickly with suggestions and a potential option for dealing with my hardship. This option is one that my family and I are considering, but we are exploring other options (such as private student loans) for a variety of reasons. </p>
<p>One of these reasons, my reason, is that the school has already done a great deal for me (admittance, full-ride) and I think that it is fair that I shoulder an admittedly small financial burden (although it will be difficult) if I can. If shouldering such a burden through loans, aid from friends or family, the graveyard shift, or any of the other suggestions I have received is impossible or unrealistic then we will pursue this option.</p>
<p>This also brings us back to one of the reasons that I would like to remain pseudonymous: this thread contains a great deal of information pertinent to an ongoing financial discussion between myself and my school. I would hate to jeopardize that discussion by mis-portraying myself or my school.</p>