Just got my financial aid package back. Depressed and disappointed. Need help understanding if true.

After my son got his books used first semester some were still expensive even on Amazon used. But this semester he only had to buy two books for English like $20.00 total. The other 3 classes don’t require books since they all give the material needed, which of course is awesome. Maybe check your curriculum to see what is actually needed.

Also my son was awarded work study but found a job though university of michigan that he finds more enjoyable and they bend for the kids classes and tests etc its. Finding a job was actually very easy.

It will be a wash because it will reduce her Provost’s award by an equal amount. Provost award always goes away first. It’s a “last dollar” grant.

Not reading all nine pages but OP, you are dang lucky to have UF as a safety, even if you don’t think much of it. There are a ton of people in much worse situations without a UF to fall back on.

@brantly That is true. I forgot he has Provost.

Wait so I applied to several local scholarships. Are you saying that if I win them, the money that I win will just be taken off my aid for UM? If so… ugh!

It is taken off Grant aid, yes. Had the same thing happen to DS two years ago.

The heck. That’s annoying. Basically rejects the whole point of scholarships

Not really. It just replaces the free money they were going to give you so now they can give to someone else. There is no way to be in positive money. You get what you need to cover tuition, room board etc. Nothing extra. You have an awesome package. Be grateful that they gave you so much.

“Basically rejects the whole point of scholarships”

Except for people who don’t get aid in the first place, then scholarships are huge.

Michigan is VERY generous with their aid, going above and beyond most other institutions.

The reason is they use Provost at the end to meet your need after all other gift aids applied. When you receive additional scholarship, your need gap decreased so they need to use less Provost to meet your need. If you do not have Provost in your package, then they will offset the amount of loan and WS with your additional scholarship.

@Monkey288195 Are you in state or OOS? Provost is for OOS students. It is the first thing to be reduced or eliminated if outside scholarships replace it. If you are in state, outside scholarships will replace your loans and work study first, then your grants. Replacing the loans and WS is a good thing.

@brantly Im OOS

This aid is based on 2016 income. Is your parents’ 2017 income similar? And they expect 2018 to be about the same as well?

Because if FAFSA EFC goes up, need based aid will go down.

@Monkey288195 Did you get your FA award yet? If it includes a Provost’s, that award will be reduced by the amount of your outside scholarships.

@brantly Yes it does include Provost’s

@mommdc 2017 income is a bit higher. Maybe 3k.

Don’t bother with the outside scholarships, then. They are usually a very small amount and not worth the trouble. @Monkey288195

@brantly Too late. Already spent my time applying for a bunch

What change in aid does the net price calculator predict for $3,000 income change?

If you go to UF, all those outside scholarships will be great, cash in your pocket.