New Paltz Financial Aid - WHATTTT?!

Colleges and Universities A-Z SUNY - General
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<p>I received my "preliminary financial aid estimate" yesterday from NP. I had an EFC of ~$500, but we were willing to make arrangements to pay about $5,000. NP estimated that tuition + room and board would come to $16,200. According to my FA estimate, I'd have a little over $1,000 in Federal Work Study, and the rest in loans... which is not acceptable, because I would go to a SUNY so as not to be thousands in debt from loans. It didn't look very personalized to me at all, and was quite different than any other FA package I've received thus far (no grants, etc). Okay, whatever. I would ask them to appeal, but I'm not planning on attending New Paltz anyway, so it's not much of an issue. But then I saw a note at the bottom of the letter that this was the preliminary estimate, and that my actual award would be determined ONLY after I committed to NP and sent in my deposit. WHATTTT?! Is that ethical? Is that even legal? How can I possibly commit to a school without knowing about my FA package?</p>

<p>Again, I'm not planning on attending New Paltz, but I am very strongly considering Binghamton. Bing's FA packages are not posted until 4/1, so now I'm worried about what to expect from them. Do all SUNYs work the same way, or did someone at New Paltz just decide to institute this brilliant concept?</p>

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<p>Something is clearly not right with that award estimate…with an EFC of $500 you should receive a Pell grant and a TAP award, probably an ACG, and maybe a SUSTA and FSEOG grant. The ACG may not be listed until after your final transcripts are reviewed for eligibility but the others should be reasonable estimations. I would not use NP’s letter as a basis for concern about Bing’s offer.</p>

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<p>where did you find your financial aid award? Was it mailed to you or did you find it on the internet?</p>

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<p>yeah, NP has been absolutely horrid recently. i have a bunch of friends who go there who will be swimming in debt and who would have been better off at a private who gave good aid. yay budget cuts.</p>

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<p>Daughter got her letter a couple of days ago. We are out of state, and even though we would be paying OOS prices, they didn’t even at least ‘gap’ our EFC (which would have been a $3000 difference). They generously “awarded” her a $24,000 “estimate”, all loans.</p>

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<p>having the same issue. this is ridiculous, i think i will have to call the financial aid advisor tomorrow.</p>