<p>Has anyone applied/recieved financial aid packages from Ithaca? I was accepted for the class of '11 but recieved about 13K in financial aid, including fafsa, for a school that is over 40K a year. My EFC is about 5K per year...our family lost one income in January. When I spoke to the financial aid people at Ithaca, they said they had given me the maximum in Ithaca grants (10K a year) and workstudy, and I didn't recieve any need-based grants. Is it possible to appeal and see if I can get a need based grant, of which there are many? (It's possible the new circumstances weren't reviewed by the adcoms when they were delegated). I don't understand how they think my family can afford to pay more than half our yearly income. Ithaca is the only school out of the ones I applied to that I got into and want to attend...any thoughts? I posted this in the forum, but I don't know how many people read it.</p>
<p>Can you make an appointment, go in person, and perhaps bring a parent? Also bring documentation of your financial situation? Also be sure to let them know that they are your first choice.</p>
<p>According to the information you provided you have been awarded MERIT aid of $13k. I also remember being told that was the maximum amount awarded for merit.</p>
<p>Now it appears that you family finances changed a couple of months ago due to a job loss. I am not sure how you arrived at an EFC of $5k. I assume that is not based on 2006 but is based on an estimate for 2007 with a permanent loss of income. Even that does not sound correct since you state that the new family income is twice the cost of attendance. I suspect that will result in a EFC much greater than $5k. In any case you and your parents need to contact the financial office and ask if it is possible to apply for need based aid.</p>
<p>edad-</p>
<p>my family has one less income because my father passed away earlier this year. because fasfa is based on last year's tax returns, i sent a letter explaining the change of circumstance to all the schools i applied to, along with the fasfa report. from ithaca, i recieved the ithaca access grant, which is need-based and can be awarded up to 10K per year, which is what was given to me. i did not recieve any merit scholarships or need-based scholarships. </p>
<p>my family can comfortably afford between 5 and 10K per year for me to attend college-i don't know our "official" EFC because our situation has changed since the original fasfa report was filed. the cost of attendence for ithaca would be over 25K per year, which is half our yearly income and therefore not a possibility. </p>
<p>unfortunately, upon contacting ithaca again, i was told that i was given the maximum amount of money they could award and that was the best financial aid package i would recieve. i was hoping there might be a way to find additional funding.</p>
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I don't understand how they think my family can afford to pay more than half our yearly income. Ithaca is the only school out of the ones I applied to that I got into and want to attend
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<p>Ithaca is a school that does not meet 100% of your demonstrated need (they GAP). While you have a change incircumstances with the job loss, that will most likely be reflected in next years financial aid package since your package for 2007-2008 is based on your 2006 income.</p>
<p>However, even with your change in circumstance if there is a $25k gap between what it cost for you to attend and the combination of your EFC and the merit aid you got, I am sorry but I would take it as an admit -deny; you are bright enough to attend, but it is not a financially feasible option for your family as it is highly unlikely that they are giving remotely going to close that big of a gap.</p>