<p>I just received a predicted aid package from NEU, and it wasn't as generous as I'd hoped. I got a 14k scholarship, and the total package was 29k including my scholarship. Which means I only got 15k in aid. Is this normal for university aid? My parents make barely over 100k.. and when I looked at BU's expected aid chart (I don't know what it is but you match up your stats to what your parents make) it said I would be getting around 30k. Do they include the merit scholarship in what they give you? I didn't think it was like that.</p>
<p>Sorry, but yes, it is very normal. Especially since Northeastern focuses a lot on its merit scholarships. We are not a school that “meets” any sort of need, like some schools claim to do. Expected aid is calculated (usually) as the cost to enroll minus expected family minus other scholarships. But again, we also don’t “meet” that need.</p>
<p>And I know it might feel like you got the short end, but you’re in the same position as millions of other people who come from middle-class families. Can’t pay for school out of pocket, but don’t get a bunch of aid. The median pay of an American is between 30 to 35k a year, so even though your parents obviously can’t whip out a check to pay for tuition they still make more than average.</p>
<p>Just to give you a reference point meghan…, my D got in EA and got a 20k scholarship (per year for 4 years) and just $8000 in loans and work study for a total of $28,000 for the first year. We were hoping for more aid as well.</p>
<p>If I submitted the FASFA and CSS Profile after the December 1 deadline for tentative aid, when should I expect an update of my report? Do I have to wait till March like Regular Decision applicants?</p>
<p>I submitted the CSS much after the deadline, as well as the FAFSA (just a couple weeks ago). I received my package a few weeks after I sent in my CSS. When you got accepted there is a letter for your acceptance, a letter for your scholarship if you got one, and then one for financial aid. I hadn’t sent in my CSS by that time so I did not receive my financial aid at the time I was admitted. So check there possibly? </p>
<p>This won’t stop me from attending, but it’ll just mean I have some more debt to work off.</p>
<p>The financial aid report was not in my acceptance packet because I had not submitted the FAFSA or CSS Profile until recently. I’m wondering if they update financial aid online?</p>
<p>Yes, keep checking. My D did not get an aid package with her admission packet because they need some clarification. Hers came thru last week.The FA office told me they release aid packages mid/late each month. January may already have been released, so if you don’t have a package yet it might be mid/late February. Call or e-mail your FA advisor. Mine has been very helpful.</p>
<p>Okay, thank you! I think they just updated my financial aid status when I checked again today. Apparently, I have to submit some more documents before I get my report.</p>
<p>scratch that last post. I got my report. thanks again!</p>