<p>I got absolutely nothing from Vandy, and my parents won't let me go because of this! Please tell me I am not the only one!! </p>
<p>Also, on a side note, does anyone know if you bring up amounts that other colleges are giving you for tuition brings down your tuition amount for Vandy? (so they would be able to have a high yield)</p>
<p>I am in a similar situation. I got into Vandy and want to go there but got zero financial aid. My parents and I are going to have to sit down and discuss our options, especially because I don’t want to take out too many loans. So I may not be able to go…we will see. (I was kind of suprised because the FA calculator said we would get some aid but we didn’t…)</p>
<p>Same here! Vandy’s my number one school. I love everything about it!! I made that very clear to my admissions counselor and was offered $8k a year including work study, but it’s really still not enough. Our EFC is much lower than what they accommodated for, and after speaking with the FA office it seems to be because they place more value on the CSS profile than on FAFSA. I’m still trying to do everything I can to make Vandy a more affordable option because it’s been my dream school for pushing 3 years, and now that I got in I really want to make it a reality.</p>
<p>Part of my problem is that I have worked extremely hard for four years to get into Vanderbilt and I don’t want my hard work to go to waste. I don’t want to give up my dream. However, I don’t want to go $80,000-$100,000 or more into debt (not sure what my parents are willing to pay…they have not given specifics) and I do not want to place that finacial strain on my parents. I’m torn.</p>
<p>Haha. I’m extremely happy I’m not the only one (though I would never wish this situation on anyone).
@reeses. Exactly my point. Vandy is a big deal, but I don’t understand with the amount of money they rake in each year, why they can’t spot me several thousands.
I even got money from UNC and it’s a public school! How can a public school make it so my total cost of tuition would be $40 k and a private school wont budge on their 55k tuition? It’s ridiculous</p>
<p>that’s odd. Vandy had the best FA out of all my admitted colleges. Maybe you should try for an appeal?</p>
<p>Did you all fill out both the FAFSA and CSS profile?</p>
<p>We did fill out both but my family’s financial situation is complicated. We are barely above the no FA line and it didn’t help that last year my dad got a bonus…and he also got transferred out of state. So now he works far away while the rest of my family has stayed where we are so my brother and I can finish high school. Now my dad has an apartment where he works so he can stay there…so that probably looks like an asset, but it is not like it is a vacation house; it is for his work. My brother and I also go to private schools. There is a other stuff, and on top of all that, we need to get a new car because the old one died and isn’t worth anything. Sorry for the long, venting post, but its complicated.</p>
<p>Got WORST financial package of all from Vanderbilt. Only $11,600/year. No way is Vanderbilt worth $50,000/year x 4 years = $200,000 total for undergrad. </p>
<p>Luckily, received much better financial aid from other colleges!</p>
<p>This is all really strange to hear since normally I hear fantastic things about Vanderbilt FA! Pretty sad… I don’t know what I’d do if I got in and couldn’t go because of that. Probably go insane.</p>
<p>Of course! My dad and I filled out EVERYTHING. I guess I will try for an appeal? Whatever that is…</p>
<p>And Vandy FA is great! If you’re in dire financial need (which I’m not)</p>
<p>We had excellent financial aid from Vanderbilt for my D. We are not in dire financial need. However, you may consider me poor … folks at Vandy had a whole lot more money overall than people in our area. Vandy does use the Profile, which can yield a higher EFC for those with their own businesses and for those with significant assets. Unless things have suddenly changed, need based aid at Vandy is still very good … but the key is, you have to have “need” according to Vandy’s formula. I am sorry that it didn’t work out well for those of you who are not happy. I would guess, though, that you do have good options that your families can afford.</p>
<p>ReecesPieces, you need to have a conversation with your parents about how much they are willing to pay. This is something ALL students need to do. How can you know what is or is not affordable? Only your parents can tell you that.</p>
<p>Funny that you mention owning a business, kelsmom, because my dad called Vanderbilt yesterday and they thought my mom owned a business because she says she is “self-employed.” So he got that cleared up but it doesn’t help that my dad has an apartmenta and car where he works. But they expect us to pay $80,000 for Vanderbilt and my brother’s private school tuition next year…We cannot afford that.</p>
<p>it didn’t help that last year my dad got a bonus…and he also got transferred out of state. So now he works far away while the rest of my family has stayed where we are so my brother and I can finish high school. Now my dad has an apartment where he works so he can stay there…so that probably looks like an asset, but it is not like it is a vacation house; it is for his work.</p>
<hr>
<p>Everything you describe is a “choice.” Your family has chosen to pay for two homes, and they have chosen to send you/your brother to private schools. Colleges expect the family to contribute as much as it can … and your family is choosing to use money available for college to pay for other things. There is nothing wrong with the choices your family is making. It is just that Vandy is choosing to use its money for those who cannot afford Vandy at all. I know that is hard to understand, and I know that it is disappointing. However, Vandy’s decision is consistent with its financial aid policies. </p>
<p>When you say that Vandy expects your family to pay $80k for Vanderbilt, are you saying that they are giving you all but $20,000 per year? That is pretty darn good.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input, kelsmom. I completely understand where you are coming from, and, I know I am very fortunate and am extremely grateful for that. When I said $80k, I meant we would have to pay that per year because I was adding Vanderbilt’s tuition (and othert expenses such as room, board, etc.) as well as my brothers. I did not receive any aid from Vanderbilt at all.</p>
<p>Maybe the economy is hitting them hard.</p>
<p>I got the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship but I just turned them down because Harvard was giving me more money through Financial Aid than full tuition at Vandy…</p>
<p>wow Idk about you guys but I got great financial aid. It made it the cheapest option for me even if I included community college where I almost got a full ride. I guess I must just be poor :(. Also at the engineering open house yesterday everyone was saying that they got a good package</p>
<p>Yeah! It’s one of the drawbacks of being an upper middle class family.
Oh well, I just got a 5k research grant at UNC, so it looks like I’ll be going there and be a part of the honors program!
Heels>'dores
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<p>I’m all for helping those that can’t afford it, to go to college. I wouldn’t have been able to go if I hadn’t received fin. aid, and I have been extremely grateful and since the time I could afford to, have been contributing back in return. However, I find it baffling when smart kids say that it’s ridiculous that a private college won’t cough up a couple of thousand for them to go, and their car is old, etc. Reality check - most people who are putting their kids through college and private schools make financial sacrifices to afford the sticker price, not stand with an outstretched hand.</p>