Money worries

<p>While I was looking back at old forum posts, I found out that the biggest academic scholarship that PU gives out its about half of the tuition. I can't afford 20ish thousand dollars a year. This school sounds so perfect for me, and I'd hate not to be able to go because of money. A few questions:</p>

<p>1) How is their financial aid? My family is middle class from the ghetto in Cali, lol, and 20,000 a year would still be devastating. </p>

<p>2) How well do they work with leverage? If I got into a college that was willing to offer me full ride, but Pepperdine was my first pick, would they be a little more generous? </p>

<p>3) Do they favor kids with Alumni relations, especially if the Alumni is a donor? </p>

<p>I know its so odd for me to be asking so many questions like this when I'm only a junior, but it's kinda hit me that at around this time next year, I should have been accepted to whatever college I'm going to spend 4 years at. Right now, Pepperdine seems like a good fit, the trouble will be paying for it...</p>

<p>It is expensive! My D got grants, student loans and we pick up part of it. She also has work study to cover her personal expenses. Her grants and loans cover 65% of tuition and room and board. I think she was pretty lucky. I think Alumni connections are helpful for acceptance, not sure it would help financial aid. I have no clue about leverage, but I guess it depends on how badly they want you and if you have something special to offer.</p>

<p>I noticed in your other post you are the baby in the family, so is D. I think we were willing to stretch our funds knowing it was our last:)</p>

<p>This is a big concern for so many of us. My daughter really likes Pepperdine, but if they don't give her a scholarship, she will be going elsewhere. She has been given really generous scholarships from some of her other top schools. We would be "thrilled" to only have to pay $20,000 to have her attend Pepperdine. We have an alumnus in our family. I don't know if that makes any difference, maybe just a plus for acceptance. It appears that you are looking for a full ride, pinkpanther09. I don't think Pepperdine gives full rides, but, as JC* said, with a combination of loans, work study and grants and scholarships, your dream of attending Pepperdine may come true. Good luck and get going on planning that summer job to help pay for college!</p>

<p>Does anyone know how the timing of scholarship/FA letters works IF a student gets accepted to Pepperdine? Probably should not put the cart before the horse-but our twins are receiving acceptance letters from schools ( thank heavens) and then scholarship letters within about one week. Since there are a lot of factors to take into consideration timing of all of this would be important IF we were fortunate enough to be accepted. Just wondering what anyone on this thread might know. Again-good luck to all of the great students and families!</p>

<p>Georgiatwins, I don't know the timing, but look on the threads from last year about this time. Hopefully, we will know well before the May 1st deadline. We are visiting the schools that have already given the scholarships. My daughter is even revisiting the UCs that have accepted her, even though she really will most probably choose a small private Christian university. We just want to be sure that her decision is based on all of the facts.</p>

<p>Last years thread suggest money later come about a week later, but they say it can be as late as mid April. That's going to be hard.</p>