Is this really how the FA process works?

Paying for College
1

<p>I just got off a 45 minute conversation with an FA advisor for a private LAC I've been admitted to and was somewhat enlightened about the FA process and was wondering what others' thoughts on it all might be?</p>

<p>One of my main questions when I called was: You're telling me that FA letters won't be sent out until late March, however the enrollment deposit is due May 1st. So, if I went on a conservative estimate in receiving the FA notification on April 1st, that would leave me with 30 days at the most to go over the FA options and make a decision. Is there some way I can meet with an advisor beforehand to go over everything, even if they can only provide me very close estimates based on my financial information, and not exact numbers?</p>

<p>Their summary reply: The notification sent out in late March is only still an ESTIMATE. Most of those FA awards will be based on a verification process which would involve the student possibly providing further information before exact amounts are given. Any estimates they were able to give me were Federal Loans and CAL Grant only - the ones I already had a pretty good estimate myself. Perkins Loans, Work Study, and their 'Magical Pool' of money, they could not provide yet (understandable), but they also mentioned that they would most likely not be able to provide that to me at the end of March either. I would have to wait on their online notification (nothng in the mail). They went on to explain, after I voiced some dismay, that all colleges are working the same way.</p>

<p>Appearently, to me, there are some dificiencies in the system. How would a student be able to make a sound financial decision when by time they submit any 'verification info' from their late estimated FA package, would only leave them a couple weeks to decide, or maybe no time at all. Are colleges expecting to have students submit the enrollment deposits and recind all other applications without the financial backing to even ensure they can even attend?</p>

<p>Needless to say, the numbers they did give me would make it highly unlikely if not impossible for me to attend financially. Once I voiced this to them, they actually suggested that I go to their website and look into private loans. No way in heck am I going to take out a single $1 in private loans for undergradute education. They also suggested outside scholarships (duh, as if any half-smart kid isn't already looking into those). They also suggested doing things to help expedite the 'verification' process like using the IRS data retrival tool when filling out the FAFSA. I told them that I filled out the FAFSA after I filed my taxes and took the reported numbers numbers directly from there.</p>

<p>I ended up scheduling a meeting with the same FA advisor for the last Monday of this month to go over everything once more, but they stressed that I shouldn't be expecting any more specific or exact numbers. They say everything just takes time and that's just how the system works.</p>

<p>Are others expereincing the same equivocal process? Any suggestions, comments, or thoughts on how to navigate this. If everything they mentioned rings true, then I really can't afford to go there and my only other 2 options would be a fabulous OOS public school where 100% would be paid for, but I'd most likely have to be away from family (I'm married and somewhat look after sickly Mom-in-law ((she really has no other family in the area)) and it would be complicated and hard for them to come along). Or Community College and transfer into a much more affordable in-state public (I'm totally not above this and think it would be a great option for anyone contricted in finances).</p>

<p>Thanks a ton to all who took the time to read and respond!</p>

<p>EDIT: I did mention over the phone that I would go over an enrollment deposit extension with the Office of Admissions at the end of the month if need be, so this is an option as well.</p>

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<p>Needless to say, the numbers they did give me would make it highly unlikely if not impossible for me to attend financially. </p>

<hr>

<p>You have your answer, and it would only take a few minutes to figure that out when you get the award information in late March. Sorry to be blunt, but that is the truth.</p>

<p>I worked in a financial aid office. There are many reasons why your awards will not be ready until late March, and they are all valid. In addition, they are estimates … but excellent estimates if you paid careful attention to the instructions on your financial aid forms. I processed many, many verifications that did not result in adjustments to the estimated package … and my own kids never had adjustments made to their estimated packages. It is not a given that the package will be changed.</p>

<p>The timing for your package is not unreasonable. Many schools do not give out admissions decisions until April 1. Late March dovetails with the admissions timeline. You have until May 1 to make a decision. You should absolutely know NOW how much you have to pay for college, so that when the award notification arrives it will take a couple of minutes to know whether or not you can afford to attend.</p>

<p>I met with many students in your situation. They wanted to know their award packages in advance. I could not give them their award packages. It is done by computer using specific programming parameters, and the computer does not package until it is time … and while I am a very intelligent woman, I am no match for a computer that is packaging thousands of students’ awards. I could tell you what you would get for sure - loans, Pell if you qualified. I could also tell you if you would be likely to get enough to cover your costs - which it sounds like you were told already.</p>

<p>In summary, the timeline is normal. The awards are not going to work for you, from the sounds of things. Hopefully, you have a financial safety or two.</p>

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<p>Turtleneck,</p>

<p>regardless verification process it sounds like not all your need is going to be met you LAC. Out of options you presented, it seems to me that CC followed by in-state should be the option that meets your financial goals and family responsibilities.</p>

<p>By the way, why not start in in-state (instead of CC)? Are you a freshman with high stats? If so, depending where you are from you might qualify for some merit at the in-state. It will be hard to do as a transfer from CC. You’ll have to figure what will work the best financially though.</p>

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<p>Looking on the bright side, you’re already a big winner (a fabulous OOS public school, 100% paid for), so decision time will be relatively pleasant no matter what happens. It’s typical to receive a range of financial offers from various schools.</p>

<p>But at least you’re in the driver’s seat. You can choose to pay nothing for an excellent education!</p>

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<p>Turtle…</p>

<p>Is the OOS public Bama? If I recall, you have all costs covered as an OOS student at Bama because of GI Benefits and Bama making up the rest of costs. Is your wife not coming along? hmmm…is that because of parents being ill?</p>

<p>Are you still doing Accounting?</p>

<p>If it is Bama, how hard would it be for your in-laws to come along? Are they retired? There is a nice medical center next to campus for any medical needs. It’s kind of a popular city for retirees - low taxes, moderate climate, pretty area.</p>

<p>Have you been able to visit?</p>

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<p>Seriously, thank you to everyone responding so far.</p>

<p>kelsmom, no apology needed for being blunt. I’m a big boy. I want big boy answers. You had some excellent information there. You’re right, based on COA and the financial information I have been presented so far, I have determined I cannot attend this school for financial reasons. I guess I can just wait it out and take that minute to really put it in my mind. I know none of this confusion or delay is the FA advisor’s fault.</p>

<p>lerkin, I didn’t apply to any CSUs or UCs because I found out I was ineligible to apply. I didn’t meet the LOTE (Language other than English) req. I had a D in my foreign language class second semester of the second year of it. I didn’t have time to take the class at a CC for credit and apply to the schools still. Sucks, but I even called the UCs I’d apply to and verified that my app would not be considered complete unless I had that prereq complete.</p>

<p>MisterK, The OOS 100% covered option is because I am eligible for the GI Bill, so it IS nice, but again I would have to leave the family for extended periods of time for the next several years.</p>

<p>EDIT: Hi mom2, saw your post after I placed this one. Thanks for replying. Yes, the OOS is Bama. Still think it is a great school and I’d love to just make the decision now to go there, but yes my mom-in-law would need SOMEONE to look after her (father-in-law passeed away just last year) so even if my wife found employment in AL, it would be really tough on us to find alternative care. She isn’t incapable of taking care of herself (mostly) for now, but she is going a little downhill and we’d hate to be caught off guard sometime in the next 4 years if something happened. So wife would have to stay anyway.</p>

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<p>The schools do not exist to give us free educations, as wonderful as that would be. They need to carefully work within their own budgets as well. Federal loans and grants will be pretty-much the same for any school that you are considering, as that is income/asset based, and you should have a pretty good idea now what each school would cost.</p>

<p>Thirty days should be ample time to make a decision. And, yes, it is a trying time for anyone who has financial need. My oldest had to come up with private loans in order to attend any college. None of us want them, but many of us have to go that route. The youngest was on pins and needles waiting for scholarship information to come, and had to accept her second choice school when the first choice did not offer enough to make it doable for her. Heartbreaking at the time, but now she’s very glad that she is where she is.</p>

<p>The community college route seems like an excellent plan. As a married adult, the most practical is the way to go. The usual protest against this teens who want the “whole college experience”.</p>

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<p>KKmama…Turtlerock is a vet, and he should get a free education for serving our country. I’m glad that there are some schools that will “make up the difference” and cover whatever the GI bill doesn’t cover. Thank goodness for our vets.</p>

<p>“EDIT: Hi mom2, saw your post after I placed this one. Thanks for replying. Yes, the OOS is Bama. Still think it is a great school and I’d love to just make the decision now to go there, but yes my mom-in-law would need SOMEONE to look after her (father-in-law passeed away just last year) so even if my wife found employment in AL, it would be really tough on us to find alternative care. She isn’t incapable of taking care of herself (mostly) for now, but she is going a little downhill and we’d hate to be caught off guard sometime in the next 4 years if something happened.”</p>

<p>I know it sounds like I’m prying, but is she so ill that moving is impossible? or is it more typical age-related “stuff”. When my parents were starting to decline, they could still travel while with one of us. But, I know that sometimes people have declined so much that moving/traveling becomes impossible.</p>

<p>I would hate to see you and your wife separated during your education. I wish you all could visit…I think you’d really like it.</p>

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<p>KK, I’m not looking for any freebies. I understand. This is more of a ‘how does the FA decisions come’ question. As stated before, if I can’t afford it, I can truly accept that when I see their (emailed) numbers.</p>

<p>Thirty days is enough time for some. I think the point is that it STARTS at 30 days MINUMUM. Meaning most likely it may be less time than that. I’d hate for a kid to be watching their parent on thier death bed trying to help some family issues out that might have arisen after applications were sent and still have the colleges expect them to look over financial information in the 2 week time frame while they are staying up late maybe taking care of their sickly parent on hospice. Thirty days is enough for some.</p>

<p>I absolutely agree with your community college suggestion. I am not anticipating receiving the ‘whole college experience’.</p>

<p>mom2, sorry I forgot to mention that yes, I am still looking to Accounting. No worries on prying, I know you’re trying to help. It’s more “age” realted stuff. Late in life with a job, not fully willing or financially capable to relocate etc. Almost 60 y/o.</p>

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<p>I know each person’s situation is different but SIXTY is not “late in life”. Sorry.</p>

<p>You have a tough decision to make, but you are not the only one in this situation. The 30 days should be adequate for your decision. If the money from the LAC is very close to what you need, and your actual financial aid numbers on the applications (FAFSA/Profile) are accurate, there won’t likely be much change due to verification. You will KNOW when you get your “estimated” package if it’s going to be close to working…or not.</p>

<p>Thank you for serving our country. The GI Bill is a terrific thing for you. I’m still wondering why you didn’t apply to any schools in CA.</p>

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<p>Hi thumper1, thanks for adding in.</p>

<p>Hahaha, 60 is old according to her.</p>

<p>Since I know my FAFSA and other financial repporting numbers are exact (if not extremely accurate), then I get what you mean by ‘knowing’. I pretty much know now then unless they award me someting from their magical pool of money (FA advisor’s words, not mine) that I wouldn’t otherwise expect.</p>

<p>I kinda answered the ‘not applying to CA public schools’ inquiry a couple posts up. Missed being eligible to apply by one letter grade in one class. If I went the CC route, I would defintely be looking to transfer in-state though.</p>

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<p>mom2, sorry I forgot to mention that yes, I am still looking to Accounting. No worries on prying, I know you’re trying to help. It’s more “age” realted stuff. Late in life with a job, not fully willing or financially capable to relocate etc. Almost 60 y/o.</p>

<p>=========</p>

<p>So, it’s more of a situation where she doesn’t want to live alone. I totally understand that. My sister and her H moved in with my mom so that she wouldn’t be alone. </p>

<p>Well, if you’re willing to have her live with you, would it be ok to get like a 2-3 bedroom place for everyone?</p>

<p>I realize that moving can be expensive, but does she really need to take that much stuff? lol Can you load up your stuff and hers in a UHaul and truck it across the country? Does she have any income coming in? </p>

<p>I understand that she’s a new widow (which is very painful), but does she get anything from the death of her H? SS? retirement? insurance? </p>

<p>I don’t think it’s right if you had to take on student loan debt for four years just to avoid moving a 60 year old whose health isn’t bad. Are there any other siblings to help take care of her? </p>

<p>Is she opposed to moving for legitimate reasons…or is it mostly fear? My mom would have had fear. But I can tell you this…my Calif parents adored Alabama. They loved it, loved it, loved it. They would come twice a year and stay for 6 weeks each time…often extending their stay. They would have stayed longer if they didn’t have some Calif obligations to take care of as well.</p>

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<p>The OOS 100% covered option is because I am eligible for the GI Bill, so it IS nice, but again I would have to leave the family for extended periods of time for the next several years.>></p>

<p>Does that school participate in the Yellow Ribbon program and if so, are you guaranteed that? As of Aug '11, the Post 9-11 GI Bill only covers tuition and fees up to the highest in-state rate. You have to cover the difference.</p>

<p>I don’t know much about the other bills if you are under one of those.</p>

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<p>IF she was willing to relocate, then yeah, we would be looking for a 3-2 for all of us and packing up the UHaul is how we would do it. Not too much stuff. Enough furniture for the 2 bedroom place she’s in now and various knick knacks. Of course she could always get rid of some of that trash . . . uh, belongings. She received life insurance from his passing, but not a whole lot - a big portion had to go into the funeral costs anyway. No other benefits because he didn’t work for a long time before he passed. No other siblings. She has her own retirement, though I haven’t asked her what kind of shape it’s in. She’s worked all her life, but not making a whole lot, and she has fallen on some inheritance in the past, but I’m not sure what she’s done with it. I think she’d be smart enough to have put it away and invested it, but I guess I should start asking her these questions to seriously put OOS option on the table and see where she is with it.</p>

<p>She opposes moving for various reasons. Some legit, others not so much. 1. She doesn’t really want to go someplace “new”. She’s lived in the same town literally all her life and has rarely traveled outside of it. 2. She wouldn’t like searching for another job. She’s worked for the same company for 15 years and really likes where she is. I thinking about telling her that it may be a perfect chance to do all the fun (non career) orientated things she’s always wanted to do like volunteer at an animal shelter. She isn’t close enough to draw retirement yet, and again I’m not sure if she’d have enough to live off of (without our help).</p>

<p>Why can’t Bama be in CA?</p>

<p>cap, Bama (the OOS mentioned) does participate in YR. I have talked to their FA counselors as well. They have an unlimited number of seats for undergraduate, so I would be guaranteed the benefit. The Post 9-11 plus YR at Bama indeed makes it 100% covered (depending on living expenses, but that’s aside from tuition and books, etc which I get a stipend for all of it).</p>

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<p>Mom2collegekids,</p>

<p>how are job prospects for a 60 year old in Alabama? I am afraid OP’s MIL will have impossible time to find a job in this economy. </p>

<p>OP,</p>

<p>I don’t envy you. You are between a rock and a hard place. Quite frankly, were I you, I would not ask your MIL to move. First, I suspect it will be extremely hard for her to find a job. Second, ask her at what age she is planning to retire. What if it is 67 or 72? What will she do after you are done with your education and have to move for a new job? Will your mother in law have to move again?</p>

<p>If you absolutely cannot leave your MIL in CA to move to Alabama, I would take CC to in-state option, before insisting that she moves with you.</p>

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<p>Does that school participate in the Yellow Ribbon program and if so, are you guaranteed that? As of Aug '11, the Post 9-11 GI Bill only covers tuition and fees up to the highest in-state rate. You have to cover the difference.</p>

<p>I don’t know much about the other bills if you are under one of those.</p>

<p>==================</p>

<p>^^^</p>

<p>Yes…Bama offers Yellow Ribbon to EVERY vet…no limit. So, the OOS portion is covered as well. </p>

<p>Lerkin…</p>

<p>If this near-60 year old isn’t an invalid, then she likely can get a job in T-town. New businesses are opening all the time there. There really isn’t an “economy” problem in T-town. </p>

<p>There are banks opening, small stores, larger stores, restaurants (probably not appealing to her), etc.</p>

<p>If she has ANY work experience, even minor, she could likely find a job here…even if it’s just being a “greeter” at Wal-mart…lol. But seriously, stores like Sams Club often hire older ladies to check receipts or hand out samples. I know that the book stores (Barnes and Noble and Books a Million) both have seniors working there. </p>

<p>Of course, the malls all hire older ladies - especially the dept stores. Dillards, Belk (like a Macys), Penneys, and Sears all hire seniors to work in dept or customer service.</p>

<p>These places need “non-students” to work during the hours that students can’t work. T-town isn’t a small city. It’s a 100,000 people city. </p>

<p>It really just sounds like this mom doesn’t want to live alone…it doesn’t sound like she’s got health issues that would prevent her from working.</p>

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<p>If I were a 60-year old woman in decent health and working full-time (wait, I am!), I would be very upset to think that my kid felt she had to completely organize her life around my perhaps needing some help within the next four years–and downright insulted that she felt I was incapable of taking care of myself. (And of course I wouldn’t want to uproot myself from my home to follow my kids to some college town–and who knows where after that.) Has you wife ever actually discussed this issue with her mother? She may be horrified that you are limiting yourselves in this way. Sixty isn’t old, and a sixty-year-old who is able to work full-time doesn’t need looking after.</p>

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<p>MommaJ…</p>

<p>I completely agree with you. But maybe this mom has been a “family person” her whole life and now her H has passed, and she thinks that she’s going to live with a married child from now on. While we might not ever do that, this either may be what she “needs” or maybe the only way she can afford to live.</p>

<p>I agree that the mom might/should be horrified to think that her married child isn’t able to move where needed for school (I think the child is the D, and the OP is the SIL). And, I doubt she wants to create a situation where her D has to live apart from her H over the next 4 years.</p>

<p>If this were me, I would do this. H and I would take mom out to lunch and say, “mom, Bob needs to go to college in X state because that’s what’s affordable. I do not want to live away from Bob, so I will be moving, too. I know that you don’t want to live alone, so you’re welcome to move with us. We’ll find a 2-3 bedroom apt and help you find a job. The city is very nice and other seniors live there as well. We’ll figure out exactly what we need to bring, and sell the rest (craig’s list! or freecycle). Then we’ll load up a Uhaul and drive there. If you want, we’ll try to arrange a visit first to be sure.”</p>

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<p>MommaJ,</p>

<p>it depends on a 60 year old woman. I can totally see my MIL putting guilt trip on my husband and me for wanting to move. In fact, she did just that when she was only 45, married and still had one more son in the house. </p>

<p>We eventually stayed because a better opportunity came up back home, but back then my MIL was putting pressure on everyone, including my parents. </p>

<p>Everyone’s relationship with parents is different. What is strange to me, might be completely acceptable to somebody else (and vice verse).</p>

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<p>Turtlerock, you have a lot on your plate, and the decision will not be easy. I imagine you are very stressed. You have received good advice, and you know your own life and your own heart. You have some excellent options, and you will excel no matter what … because you are motivated to do so. Unlike my 20 year old who would rather play his guitar than study for his organic chem test, you will be making sure you make the most of your education. That will pay off for you in the end. Don’t spend any time regretting what won’t work out. Figure out what will, and make the most of it.</p>