Renegotiating FinAid?

<p>I recently got accepted to a Johns Hopkins and I was estatic for a whole 3 minutes until I saw my financial aid report. As it turns out, I have to pay 50k of the 57k total costs. Considering my FAFSA only expects my parents to pay 5.6k and my parents only make 60k annually, is there something wrong with the financial aid package for JHU, or can they they just give me very, very little FinAid? Also, is there any point in calling the financial aid office and asking them to see if they can increase the aid amount? </p>

<p>Thanks. First time college student so if this question seems obvious, I apologize.</p>

<p>Hopkins uses the CSS profile in addition to the FAFSA. The CSS profile takes more things into conisderation such as home equity and assets which may not be listed on the fafsa. In addition, the css profile takes into consideration the income of stepparents and non-custodial parents.</p>

<p>IF you have a 50k EFC, then there must be considerable assets.</p>

<p>But see, the thing is that I dont think I have a 50k EFC. Like I mentioned before, my EFC from FAFSA is 5.6k and my parents have no savings, not their own car. </p>

<p>Furthermore, I recently got my FinAid from Rice U and they gave me 39 of 49k need based scholarship. Im just curious to find out why there is such a large discrepancy between the two packages even though they were based off the same exact things.</p>

<p>You’ll have to call JHU’s financial aid office and ask them what could explain the 50K figure they expect you and your parents to contribute.</p>

<p>It could be there was some mistake if your parents have a 60K income and no assets. The only way to know how JHU came up with that figure is to ask them.</p>

<p>I think you’ve been a victim of the “admit-deny”…unfortunately, not all schools can/will fund their high need, lower income acceptances. It’s not uncommon that they won’t even try. I would just move on…you have a good package from Rice though, so congrats!</p>

<p>Were your stats high or lowish for JHU?</p>

<p>If they were lowish, then you got an admit/deny package.</p>

<p>however, if your stats are high or average, they may have made a mistake. You need to contact them.</p>

<p>Remember, EFC is a FEDERAL number. Colleges and states are under no obligation to care about it in the least except to get you any federal money you’re entitled to. The Federal FAFSA has no power over schools or states to make them respect an EFC number. </p>

<p>Look over your CSS to make sure an extra 0 wasn’t put in somewhere for income or assets. </p>

<p>**Are you sure your parents don’t own any property that has a high value? Are your parents married or divorced?</p>

<p>If not, there’s probably been a mistake. Contact your FA advisor…do you know who that is…find out here > <a href=“Student Financial Support | Johns Hopkins University”>Student Financial Support | Johns Hopkins University; **</p>

<p>When you contact them, don’t just make a big deal out of your FAFSA score since they also use CSS… Mention your FAFSA score but also mention that your CSS doesn’t include any other significant assets/income, therefore the family expected contribution should not be much different.</p>

<p>* 3.9 out of 4.0 GPA and 35 ACT*</p>

<p>If those are your stats, then there probably has been a mistake. Your stats are high for the school.</p>

<p>Your CSS either has a mistake or they made a mistake.</p>

<p>OMG…is it true that Johns Hopkins is dropping the “s” after John??? LOL People just never “got it”.</p>

<p><a href=“Home | Johns Hopkins University”>Home | Johns Hopkins University;

<p>BTW…if your FA advisor doesn’t seem willing/able to help. Go back to that page and send an email to the two ladies on the bottom of that page…</p>

<p>Edna Jones
Administrative Assistant</p>

<p>Donita Holcomb
Secretary-Receptionist </p>

<p>Ask them for the name and contact info for the Director of Financial Aid. Then go to the top. You need clarification. JHU gives better aid than that to kids with your scores.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Uh, mom2ck, it’s April 1. Need I say more?</p>

<p>LOL…of course…thanks for the joke JHU. Too funny!!!</p>

<p>Thanks to everyone who replied!</p>

<p>Im going to call the Johns Hopkins FinAid Office tomorrow and try to figure out why my EFC is so high. And yes, those are my stats although Im slightly perturbed that you managed to dig them up. :)</p>

<p>Ill let you guys know how it ends up.</p>

<p>There’s no real digging involved when you’ve created a WAMC thread! Seriously, kids, your post history is readily available and if you’ve posted info on another thread, we all assume it’s because you don’t mind sharing it! It often provides the “missing” pieces to queries on this forum. In this case, it was relevant info that puts a completely different spin on the question.</p>

<p>*And yes, those are my stats although Im slightly perturbed that you managed to dig them up. *</p>

<p>lol…well, your stats are great, so no need to feel uncomfortable or annoyed. :)</p>

<p>Anyway, keep us posted. If you need any help with what to say, ask, etc, let us know. Remember…be super polite. :)</p>

<p>Before you call, go over your CSS carefully to see if you/your family made a mistake somewhere. It sounds like an extra 0 or something got put in for the school to think that you have money.</p>

<p>Don’t just call, also send an email to your FA advisor.</p>

<p>Eurasianboy1112- I’m curious to how it went because almost the exact same thing happened to me and I am contemplating calling them…</p>

<p>I’m even wondering if they completed the CSS Profile? Were you aware you had to complete that in addition to the FAFSA? Without having that piece they likely couldn’t complete your FA package and what you saw may have just been a merit award that wasn’t based on need. Then again Rice needs the CSS Profile too so who knows.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>