Is there an error?

Paying for College
1

<p>I recently received my financial aid package from University at Buffalo and I think they made an error. First of all, the total expense is around 20k. And I was only offered 10k in Grant and TAP and not offered for anything else(excluding loans).</p>

<p>My dad makes less than 25k and my brother will also be in college this fall, do they expect us to pay that much without any extra help? Also, I compared my financial aid package(UB also) with my other friend, whom is much more wealthier than my family, and our aids were completely identical. Even Sub and Unsub loans were the same amount. Do you think they made a mistake?</p>

2

<p>State universities, with only a few exceptions, do not guarantee to meet need. They do not have large endowments, etc. that allow them to offer extensive need-based financial aid.</p>

<p>So no, it’s not likely to be a mistake.</p>

3

<p>Slecks…it sounds like you received a portion of the Pell grant (how much did you receive in that), plus your TAP money. Stafford loan amounts don’t vary much…the maximum subsidized is $3500 I believe with an additional unsubsidized of $2000 for freshmen. </p>

<p>If you add the grants and the Stafford loan together, you have $15,500 worth of aid for your bills this year, leaving you with about $4500 shortfall…some of that you can make up by getting a job and contributing your earnings. </p>

<p>U of Buffalo does not guarantee to meet full need.</p>

<p>Will you be living in the dorms there or commuting?</p>

4

<p>The total expense includes books, and likely a generous cost of living. Be aware that moving off campus at Buffalo saves money. If you still can not afford UB, you may have to find a school you can live at home for first 2 years.</p>

5

<p>State schools usually can’t make it affordable to live away from home. Your friend can’t be wealthier than u and get the same aid unless he got merit or has a larger family. What was his efc.</p>

6

<p>You will probably have to work a lot over the summer and also some during the school year. </p>

<p>Btw, you were offered the max loans, that’s why friend had same.</p>

7

<p>Mom2 – I’m not certain, but based on OPs dad making 25,000, I do think there are people who could earn more and still get max aid. Add that other things, like friend could be living in house they bought decades ago and have no mortgage, it can certainly appear that friend is appreciably weathier, although by no means wealthy by most people’s standards. I would say to OP you cant drive yourself nuts based on what other people got. You have to figure out what works for you.</p>

8

<p>My daughter was admitted to two other SUNYs and got the same. Our EFC is about $1800.</p>