NMF Scholarship situation -- Is this fair?

<p>S1 is a NMF now in his sophomore year. As a NMF he was offered a full-tuition scholarship for four years. On top of this, our low EFC gained him some Federal & Pell Grants. During his freshman year the school gave him the full-tuition scholarship and applied the Pell Grant to his room and board.</p>

<p>For his sophomore year, they took the Pell Grant and applied it to the full-tuition scholarship. Leaving us and son to pay for $8000 in room and board. This has been very difficult for us but I never said anything to the financial aid department about it because I feel I'm looking a gift horse in the mouth. I am very appreciate of what they have given us and I don't want to be greedy; but as struggling business owners times are tough.</p>

<p>Help me put this into perspective. Is this the way the college should be handling this? If they offer a full tuition scholarship to any NMF (regardless of income) shouldn't the student be able to use the Pell Grants for R&B?</p>

<p>Did they explain why they changed the policy?</p>

<p>You need to talk to the head of the FA dept and fast. Sound like a screw up to me.</p>

<p>do either the pell grant or the scholarship have wording attached to the award that says they are for tuition only? Some do…and if that is the case, maybe they made the mistake the first year, not this one? I dont know if this is the case, but I do know that some scholarships state that they are for “tuition” only.</p>

<p>That’s part of the problem. I asked for a written policy but they did not provide it. All I have is an email from the admissions rep saying that they guaranteed a full-tuition scholarship for four years as long as he kept a certain gpa. But I was hoping they would let us keep the Pell grant for R&B since it was done this way the first year when we accepted admission.</p>

<p>what college is this?</p>

<p>^ Is it relevant?</p>

<p>to answer your questions:</p>

<p>no not fair</p>

<p>this is not the way the college should be handing this</p>

<p>sounds like they either 1) made a mistake this year or 2) changed the terms of their scholarship offer </p>

<p>like MLPM sez: get in touch with the FA office; pursue explanantion and information, not action; save “what you will do” for later</p>

<p>For his sophomore year, they took the Pell Grant and applied it to the full-tuition scholarship.</p>

<p>This isn’t right. If he was offered a full tuition NMF scholarship then that’s what he should be given regardless of Pell qualification. Scholarships are different than need-based. He was offered essentially contract and it was accepted.</p>

<p>*changed the terms of their scholarship offer *</p>

<p>they can’t do that to a current student. Scholarships can only be reduced for prospective students.</p>

<p>Is it relevant?
yes because a lot of us parents KNOW the NMF scholarship policies at many colleges. You asked for help. We can help more with more information.</p>

<p>You are not being greedy or looking a gift horse in the mouth. Your family made its decision to attend this university based on certain information. You may have gone somewhere else. You need to find out where the mistake was made or policy was changed (without notifying your student). </p>

<p>It is important which college this is because if they are doing these types of bait and switch tactics we should be aware of it so others don’t get caught as well. However, I understand not spelling it out until you really know what has happened and what the outcome is. Seems prudent.</p>

<p>Menlo – I don’t mean to seem uncooperative. I really, really appreciate the help. But there are not many NMFs at this school. So in my mind, if someone in the know is reading this it would be akin to just typing in my son’s name for all to see. I would like to talk to the Financial aid department first before revealing it. (Although I’m sure from my past threads it’s obvious). Once I get an explanation or resolution from them I will share. I have a call into them now.</p>

<p>Hurray!!! I followed up with financial aid. They made a mistake. All is corrected now. Sorry to get everyone riled up!!</p>

<p>I’m glad you got it sorted out. My daughter has a full tuition waiver and gets the Pell - I would be mighty unhappy if they had done that to us.</p>

<p>It’s always best to ask rather than worry about seeming to be looking a gift horse in the mouth. Mistakes happen quite often. I have found an email gets the best results as it usually gets and answer from someone in the know rather than a front desk student (who in my experience may be helpful but often does not know anything outside of the “norm”.)</p>

<p>*Hurray!!! I followed up with financial aid. They made a mistake. All is corrected now. Sorry to get everyone riled up!! *</p>

<p>Yeah!!! I figured it was a mistake. That scholarship offer is like a contract. They’d be in doo doo if they tried to change out the amount with Pell.</p>

<p>Glad that’s one less thing to worry about, cbug!</p>

<p>I figured someone in FA messed up! Glad you quickly called and that its resolved!</p>

<p>I’m glad this was resolved and just turned out to be an error. Your S has earned that full tuition scholarship and should not be penalized for it.</p>