<p>I'm currently a freshmen at Stern. Before I started school, I only received $850 in scholarship and rest was loans. I haven't taken out any loans yet and my dad has been paying from his pocket for this past semester. I also commuted this past semester.</p>
<p>I intend to dorm next semester because commuting from where I live is pretty hard. With regards to financial aid, I have been reading that most people get a couple thousand dollars in scholarship while I only got $850. During the end of my high school, my dad was out of a job as well for about 5 months. He showed the office all the paperwork and even reapplied for FA. However, they didn't do much except adding to the Stafford loan.</p>
<p>I've heard from many students that just by calling the FA office, they give you additional aid. Does this actually work?</p>
<p>i called them but they only gave me 1000 more for a semester. but ill take anything</p>
<p>what was your EFC? If it was higher than the COA, that can explain the stinginess.</p>
<p>NYU FA has been very generous to my son. His scholarship increased by 1K and 2k each year (started Freshman year with 30K in scholarship). Still taking out Stafford and perkins loans and doing work study so it’s nowhere near a free ride). My EFC is about 12K</p>
<p>Just make sure you do the FAFSA for next year now including that you are doing on- campus housing. That changes the COA and you may be able to get more FA. The fact that your dad lost his job will reflect in the numbers on FAFSA for next year. But still that is all dependent on what your EFC is. You can always appeal and ask for more FA once they give you your FA award. There are no guarantees. My D asked for more for freshman year and they gave her 2000.00 more.</p>