Outside scholarship money: can they be used to buy laptops and textbooks?

<p>[Yale</a> University Financial Aid > About Outside Aid](<a href=“http://www.yale.edu/sfas/finaid/finaid-information/about-outside-aid.html]Yale”>http://www.yale.edu/sfas/finaid/finaid-information/about-outside-aid.html)</p>

<p>“If allowed by the awarding agency, a merit scholarship may also cover the cost of a computer, up to $2500 and with proof of purchase, for incoming students.”</p>

<p>~<em>~</em>~<em>~</em>~*</p>

<p>Okay so say a student comes in with $10,000 worth of outside scholarships. $2600 is used to cover the student income contribution part correct? Then can you use $2500 worth of the remaining scholarship money to buy a laptop? </p>

<p>How does this work specifically? Do you have to pay for the laptop out of pocket first and then get reimbursed later? Is there a deadline by which you have to buy your laptop/computer? How do you go about getting the money back? If you have $10,000 worth of renewable scholarships, do you get to buy a computer every year? (haha maybe you could sell the extra ones on ebay or something for cash)</p>

<p>And some people have been saying Yale eats up extra outside scholarship money while others have said you can use it to buy textbooks…anyone have insight into this?</p>

<p>From what I have found out when calling the admissions office is that you buy the laptop and then they reimburse you when you show them a receipt (obviously spend as much of the $2,500 as possible). Otherwise, see if you can get some on the scholarships deferred for summer possibilities or graduate school (I know I could do this with one of mine). FInally, Yale does eat it up if you receive financial aid over the amount of $10,000 which is why I am assuming you are posting. </p>

<p>Also, about $1,200 went to cover the student income contribution. </p>

<p>I did read somewhere that money can be used in your student account for Eli bucks or whatever they’re called, but I’m not sure on this - I would call the financial aid office about that if you are potentially losing out on some of your scholarships.</p>

<p>FInally. the laptop is a one-time thing unless you can possibly prove you NEED another one.</p>

<p>^I’ve been emailing them back and forth and they’re giving me the COMPLETE run around. </p>

<p>I have too much financial aid. Around 2,000. First they said it could be used to buy a computer. When I asked them if I buy it and give them a receipt for reimbursement, they said that they would **not **reimburse me and they would **not **give me the money in advance, even if I got approval from the scholarship agency.</p>

<p>They told me they would only increase my Yale scholarship, even though I already have too much money! It’s frustrating.</p>

<p>Here’s my only advice. Try to call them because emailing them about this is a headache.</p>

<p>^ As for the above post, I think they increased my Yale scholarship instead of reimbursement for the laptop, but it’s basically the same thing… I’m getting the money either way, so I’m happy.</p>

<p>^ I thought the whole point of the reimbursement was for people who have an excess amount of scholarships? I already have a fully ride, and a few thousand extra (National Achievement, State Scholarship.</p>

<p>Has the policy changed?</p>