<p>I have been dealing with the financial aid office at my daughter's school both in respect to the fact that her financial aid status has changed for next year as she now will have a sibling in college and also, as a parent of a prospective student as my son has been accepted there. I have find them to be uncaring and difficult to deal with as well as extremely condescending. This is a small school, that prides itself on individual attention, one of the 40 colleges that change lives as a matter of fact.</p>
<p>After a very curt response via email this morning, I composed an email to the President of the school and sent it, as well as wrote back to the director, that although I understood the words she was saying, perhaps they could be prefaced with a bit more empathy and understanding.</p>
<p>Now I feel I made a big "oops" because of the fact that I made those comments. The initial contacts came about in an effort to be proactive regarding the fact that my daughter's EFC has significantly been lowered. The interaction with my son had to do with a non-custodial waiver, which they had granted for my daughter and they could clearly see that my ex was not paying anything and they gave me a hard time with it for my son.</p>
<p>Perhaps have your son or daugthter do the contacting. I have been in contact with many schools regarding special circumstances etc and found that they are certainly a lot nicer and use a much different tone to the student! I understand your frustration. Sometimes it depends on the person or the particular day when you talk to someone. I have gotten different responses from the same office on different days. If you think you really messed up and set someone off have your student send a letter saying they really want to attend, work this out etc and realize the ultimate responsibility is theirs in financing their education so could they give you some advice for dealing with this now. These offices are used to difficult parents. They are there for the students. Have the information come from them even if you have to help them out with the writing or what to day. Good luck!!</p>
<p>Actually, she is a Junior there. And has gone in person several times and they have been rude to her. And condescending. And I have written. And they have been condescending. Altough we do not pay the full cost of attendance due to aid, our portion is just as difficult, if not more for us than many full pay students. I do not feel it is necessary to be some completely uncaring. That is my beef. Not necessarily with what they say.,</p>
<p>In regards to my son, he has applied to 10 schools and we are still waiting for packages. Of all the 10 schools, this one, where I already have a child attending has been the most difficult. As someone who is already involved with the school, I felt comfortable addressing the issue. My daughter would have gone to the President’s open hours however between work, track and her classes, she can not make any of the times they have available.</p>