Reduced Scholarship instead student loan reduction- For switching to Online

Hi,
My school reduced a lot of my financial aid because I decided to do online for next semester. They reduced a grant that was supposed to cover all of my tuition, but not fees and room. Now I am at a point where I am forced to take student loans when it wasn’t necessary.

Tuition and fee cost did not change.
What they took out were only the room and certain campus fees.

Originally, my financial aid packet was enough for the tuition and fees. And that’s how it was since last year.

Now I need to take student loans. Why would the school do that?

When I first enrolled to college, I got some state scholarship, but the school reduced my University grant and made me take a loan out. I really don’t understand why the more scholarship I get, the more reduction in my scholarship and increase I get in student loans. Why is working harder to earn scholarships lead you to take more student loans? Why?

Sorry, I am like ranting because I really don’t understand why. I am sad mad.

Are you getting outside scholarships? Ones not awarded by your college?

Your state scholarship reduced your financial need. At some colleges, this would reduce the aid the college provides.

Without knowing the college, it’s hard to say “why” they are doing this.

ETA…are you at Syracuse? Is your state scholarship the TAP or Excelsior?

Perhaps @sybbie719 can explain the interface between NY State grants and other school aid.

It might be because you are looking at it backwards. Institutional financial aid is normally the last payer. For example if the full COA is $70k and they determine that your family should contribute $20k, you FA would be $50k. Now if your COA drops to $50k, they still expect your family to contribute $20k. Your FA would drop to $30k. This is the same as when you add in outside scholarships. There are some schools that do not do this, but many do.

It is difficult for us to answer your questions, because we don’t have the information necessary to respond. Please contact your school for an explanation.