<p>Hello.</p>
<p>When I read my online acceptance letter to Brown, I almost hyperventilated from sheer incredulity and joy. As an Ivy, I knew not to set my hopes too high. But I got in.</p>
<p>Which leads me to my next problem. Brown is DEFINITELY my top choice school, but their financial aid offer could be better. I live in California so there are few items I will be able to take with me to Brown; I’d probably have to buy most of my supplies on/around campus. Coupled with the lack of federal loan offers, having our home’s equity factored into our expected contribution, and a diminished income this year (it decrease about 1/7 of last year’s income), Brown now seems to be a faraway dream.</p>
<p>I thought that with the change in income I could receive more financial aid. However, when I called the financial aid office, they told me they would only reassess our financial aid next year because the change of income has not had a full year to impact my family. Is there anything I can do? Does anybody have any suggestions as to how to approach this? Or should I just go with my second choice school, an in-state that is willing to give me more financial aid?</p>
<p>You will have to make the decision (and family) re what is really best for you. But some points that might help: While the change of income hasn’t fully "hit " your family financial picture (ie reflected on income taxes) if it is significant and “provable” such as a statement of job cut , backed up with wage statements etc, that would be the sort of thing I would definitely send to financial aid to see if the aid package might be adjusted. If it is just a predicted cut based on parent jobs that might be effected by the economy (self employed , etc) then you are likely not to be able to have anything adjusted. I would not calculate too much cost for “things to buy getting to Brown”. Even if you were in state, you would probably buy the same sort of things for your new dorm room, and you will really not need all that much. As a parent travelling to move in time, my student and I would always be willing to help any student without a parent there to come with us to inexpensive stores so they could “load up” at say Target, etc. You are likely to have someone on your frosh hall extend you the same help if you ask. Also on line shopping may negate any regional considerations of “supplies”. You will have some expenses you would not have in Ca (travel being the biggest. Also some winter clothes!). But those are really not the main part of the “big picture” in choosing in state vs elsewhere.</p>
<p>What is the financial difference in dollars, between the 2 schools? Try to go to Brown if you can but if it means large sum difference, forget about it.</p>
<p>You won’t believe how much stuff we sent from Calif fedex ground. the school holds the stuff for you. aid is not intended to cover that sort of thing. You can’t buy stuff on campus, you will have to go to the downtown mall and cab it back. </p>
<p>If you are thrifty with the things aid is meant to cover (travel home less than budgeted, delay laptop purchase, reduce food plan and cook yourself some meals, buy used texts, borrow texts from friends who took the class before you can save hundreds, get off campus into cheaper close housing Jr/Sr year) then you will have more money left than COA that can go to other expenses. That’s what my kid did.</p>