<p>Okay, so I got a full tuition scholarship from a university. The amount per semester is around $18,750. I recently checked and I found out that they're only giving me around $16,750. The college is taking $2,000 from my state grant. This could be because I have gift aid from the Pell Grant, but this smells way too suspicious, considering I asked about the state grant and they said I was at my "max" gift aid. Just give the money back to the state, not steal it. I honestly see this as thievery. If you said you'll pay me $18,750 in merit aid, I expect that that'll happen. Is this some sort of breach of contract? Should I talk to the financial aid office? As though they need more money...</p>
<p>This post is a little bit confusing. So, what you are saying is that you were promised an $18,750 scholarship, but $2,000 of that amount is now coming from a state grant? No matter where the money is coming, are you still receiving $18,750 altogether? </p>
<p>You can certainly talk to the financial aid office.</p>
<p>There are many schools where the student is awarded the Pell Grant first…then the full tuition scholarship minus the Pell is what the student receives from the school.</p>
<p>You need to check with the college. What was your FAFSA EFC? </p>
<p>there are schools that when they award a full tuition merit (or any merit) will say that the amount will adjust downward if there are other grants coming in. If this student got a Pell Grant, then likely the school has that policy and adjusted downward.</p>
<p>They aren’t stealing anything. The student has rec’d a state award, the school may have a policy that “free money” can’t exceed tuition…so that they’ll have money for OTHER students. </p>
<p>It is silly to say, “give the money back to the state, don’t steal it.” That money is coming in for you, based on your family’s income. </p>
<p>what school is this?</p>
<p>Well, yeah I’m still getting paid all the money, but the school isn’t paying for it all now, they’re taking some of the state’s money. By your responses I’m guessing this is a normal occurrence, which is pretty sad. I’d rather that money just stay with the state. If you were awarded a full tuition scholarship based on merit, that exact amount should be given without regards to financial aid. Those are my thoughts. And the amounts I gave are semester-based. </p>
<p>This is a private school. Arcadia University. </p>
<p>In the end, it is the school’s private money - and they dictate how they are going to use it. The state gives you what you qualify for automatically, so of course the school will capitalize on that so their own individual funding can go further in attracting other talented students to attend there. </p>
<p>Ehh, a shady policy. </p>
<p>Why didn’t you look at Arcadia’s scholarship website before posting this question? It CLEARLY provides the answer.</p>
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<p>If you wanted a different situation, you should have applied/accepted an offer from a school that doesn’t do that. </p>
<p>Not all schools reduce. My kids’ undergrad doesn’t reduce. You would have gotten the full tuition plus any grants there. </p>
<p>Consider this a learning lesson…read the fine print…not just the “good news”.</p>
<p>…and your Pell grant is a federal grant, not a state grant.</p>
<p>Okay, I was CLEARLY too stupid to do that. Thanks for making me feel like an idiot. I now understand that this is indeed legal, so I won’t cry to anyone about it. I just didn’t know. </p>
<p>And I know my Pell grant is federal, I never said it was a state grant. I applied for both. </p>
<p>Again, treat this as a learning experience. Yes, it has cost you some money and that’s painful. However, this experience may serve as a reminder in a future situation when the costs could be MUCH GREATER. </p>
<p>Read everything, ask others to read over stuff to be a second set of eyes, ask questions (at the time), so these things don’t bite you in the fanny later.</p>
<p>Yeah, I guess the whole “colleges are out to steal your money” idea just had me paranoid. I’d rather be wrong on here than in front of my financial adviser. Thanks for all the clarifications. </p>
<p>You’re welcome.</p>
<p>I know I was “tough” on you, but I was hoping it would make an impression so this will be your only “fanny bite” in your future. </p>
<p>best wishes.</p>
<p>No one is stealing anything from you. </p>
<p>Most tuition scholarships are reduced by state aid (which can only be used for tuition). The school is obligated to reduce the amount of their tuition scholarship that is covered by state aid. </p>
<p>It really did not cost you anything and you really did not lose anything. The $4k in state aid was given to you courtesy of the Pennsylvania tax payers because based on your low EFC (especially considering that you are also Pell eligible).</p>
<p>Keep in mind that any scholarship money above the cost of tuition and fees is taxable income to you.</p>
<p>What is the chance that Acadia considers Pell/State grant eligibility when awarding their Presidential scholarships? Maybe you should be grateful for their policies?</p>
<p>Next year your Federal and State grants will come handy after they increase their tuition:</p>
<p>*After the student’s freshman year, the amount of the President’s Scholarship equals the cost of fall and spring tuition for the recipient’s year of entry (i.e.-scholarship does not increase as tuition increases).</p>
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<p>That’s a very good point!!</p>
<p>They are not stealing anything. The university hasn’t actually allocated a set $ for you. It just agreed to pick up the tab of whatever is not covered by other third-party sources like Pell Grants, state grants, external scholarships. If you were awarded $ 10,000 on merit scholarships somewhere (corporation or foundation program), they would lower your award even more to match the remaining difference.</p>
<p>OP last replied to this thread on 10/24/14</p>