Not getting as much money as I thought from Rutgers + FAFSA

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rutgers University
1

<p>Hey guys.</p>

<p>So back when I applied for FAFSA in January, my estimated EFC was 13K. Yesterday, I was looking at my financial aid package from Rutgers NB (SAS) and I'm only getting about 5.5K in loans. I'm dorming, so my net cost is going to end up being 20K. The whole point of me going to Rutgers was that it was supposed to be cheap. I know EFCs aren't on the dot, but a 7K discretion is a lot. Now I'm questioning whether I want to dorm my first year since I don't want an 80K education. I have two sisters (9 and 13) whose college tuition I have to be worrying about too. If my parents spend 80K on me, nothing's gonna be left for either of them and it's looking like I can't trust FAFSA to come through for me. </p>

<p>What should I do? I applied for a bunch of scholarships but I didn't get anywhere with those. Someone told me I should appeal my package, but how do I go about doing that? </p>

2

<p>Keep applying for scholarships, and maintain a high gpa in college. A bunch of new scholarship opportunities open up for you if you maintain a high gpa through the Academic Excellence Award. Ask a dean about it. And even though dorming is expensive, trust me it is 80 percent of the experience and I highly recommend you doing it. To appeal your package, go to the financial aid office and tell them you want to appeal. They’ll make you write a letter or something. I am also the first of three to go to college and about to graduate so I feel you on that. I somehow made it out without debt due to continually applying for outside scholarships so it’s definitely doable. </p>