<p>less than actual costs of attendance to determine financial aid. Looked at school's financial aid website re their financial aid awards. They state that they use a dollar amount plus an additional amount for books and personal expenses to determine aid eligibility. The amount is less than the cost of attendance. Do most schools do this? Is it worthwhile to mention in an aid appeal?</p>
<p>Is this a school that promises to “meet need”? If not, then it may not make much difference in the long run.</p>
<p>What is the cost breakdown of the school?</p>
<p>What is in your aid package?
What is your EFC?</p>
<p>*They state that they use a dollar amount plus an additional amount for books and personal expenses to determine aid eligibility. The amount is less than the cost of attendance. *</p>
<p>What do you mean by saying the amount is less than COA? It sounds like they are using tuition, fees, R&B…and then adding books and personal expenses. What’s the problem? Are you saying that your actual costs will be higher? If so, why will they be higher?</p>
<p>What’s the problem? you ask. The problem is the amount the school states they use as their cost of attendance is lower than what is indicated as the cost of attendance on their website by over $4000. They also state that they add into the COA, i.e. tuition fees, R&B (using the cheapest of the housing options, which of course not everyone can get into), an additional $2500 for books and personal expenses (which makes the “actual figure” about $7K under the cost).
It would seem if they’re comparing their aid to a figure which is lower than the actual costs, one doesn’t stand much of a chance.
Where would look to determine if the school “promises to meet need”? Also doesn’t meet need include loans?</p>
<p>I don’t understand. If you aren’t happy with how the school conducts their business, then just don’t do business with them. Go to another school that uses fair figures. No one is forcing you to deal with a school you don’t agree with. Why should they change just because you don’t like something? If plenty of other students do find this school’s practices satisfactory, then this school just isn’t right for you. Move on.</p>
<p>Child had completed THREE YEARS at this college so we’ve been doing business with them. They’ve been on the honors list and have won academic awards. There has been a huge change in our financial circumstances. My question is whether it’s worth pointing out to the school what my kid’s actual COA is since it appears they don’t use the actual, total, COA. I honestly don’t know if plenty of other students do find this school’s practices satisfactory. Hope that clarifies things.</p>
<p>You need to contact the college and tell them about your change in financial circumstances. Some schools will consider this…and some will not. You need to contact them to document the change in your finances. Only THEY can tell you their policies. If you put the name of the school to someone here either on this site or in a PM…then someone can likely tell you whether they meet full need…or not.</p>
<p>Question…if they MEET full need…has the school always come up “short” on your aid…by thousands of dollars or is this a “new” occurance? Also…is this a school that uses the CSS Profile?</p>
<p>I’ve been in contact with the school. My kid would like to graduate from this school given they’ve completed three years.</p>
<p>Again I ask…is this some sort of “new method” of dealing with aid? If not…your student would have been “short” that $4000 each of the last three years.</p>
<p>I do understand your concern…and I do hope you contact the financial aid office. The good thing is that they include books, and personal expenses in the COA they use for awarding financial aid and those ARE areas where students CAN economize.</p>
<p>With regard to your the huge change in your financial situation…gather up ALL supporting documents and ask the school how you go about dealing with this. This would be a “special circumstances” consideration. Schools do have a process for dealing with this. Once you find out THIS school’s process, follow it to a T.</p>
<p>You should explain your circumstances to the school and see what their response is.</p>
<p>thumper1 your questions confuse me - how was my child short $4000 in previous years? Please explain “new method of dealing with aid”. How have you determined that books is included in the TOTAL COA ($2500 for two semesters lasting 30 weeks) when I stated the total COA the financial aid office uses is less than the actual COA?
Where can I locate the listing of schools that meet full need? Some schools claim they do but then expect parents and child to take out alot of loans.</p>
<p>The problem is the amount the school states they use as their cost of attendance is lower than what is indicated as the cost of attendance on their website by over $4000. They also state that they add into the COA, i.e. tuition fees, R&B (using the cheapest of the housing options, which of course not everyone can get into), an additional $2500 for books and personal expenses (which makes the “actual figure” about $7K under the cost).</p>
<p>What school is this?</p>
<p>You say that on the school’s website that it lists XXX as the COA. Then you say that somewhere else, another COA is listed. Where is that “other” COA listed? </p>
<p>Does this school meet need?</p>
<p>Did your child’s aid drop this year? Did your child get more aid during the previous 3 years? </p>
<p>What is the higher COA breakdown?</p>
<p>What is in your child’s FA package?</p>
<p>What is your EFC?</p>
<p>@nlaytk, schools usually list a COA consisting of tuition, fees, Average or least expensive room option (making it pretty understandable that if you choose a more expensive room you will have a higher COA), board, AVERAGE book cost per year (or semester, whatever they specify) , AVERAGE personal expenses, and AVERAGE travel costs. Now, if your student spends more on books, or more on personal expenses like clothing, etc, or more on travel, that is not the problem of the school. Everyone makes their own choices of how they will spend money - some students rent textbooks to save, and some buy brand new, full price books. The school simply puts out a COA based on AVERAGE expenditures. Now, if they list tuition as being lower than it really is, that is a problem. Listing the cheapest cost room charges is to show that the student will AT LEAST be spending X dollars on board, and you should plan on more from there. You say that the school’s COA is off by about $4000. Was it off by that much all the other 3 years your student was at the school? It must have been off somewhat before, so, how did you cover that difference?</p>
<p>Schools that “meet full need” calculate the “need” of the student. They don’t just go with what that family thinks they “need”. And yes, even “meets need” schools could expect a family to contribute much more than the family can actually afford. And many “meets need” schools do count loans as a way to meet that need.</p>
<p>One page on the admissions page of the school’s web site lists tuition, fees, room and board etc. The financial aid website indicates a cost of attendance - the number is lower than the totals of the numbers used on the admissions website. I used the lowest cost room (with a lottery system and a requirement that everyone lives in college owned housing it is not possible for everyone to get the lowest priced housing, obviously- the cost varies greatly. But as I indicated I used the lowest priced room to calculate the COA - my child’s room expense - due to the lottery draw and class year - will probably be about $2000 over the cheapest; however, they are living in the cheapest of the non-dorm living situations - many cost much more ).<br>
So “meets need” as I was previously asked, really doesn’t mean anything as far as assisting with the cost of college - why was I asked that question so many times?</p>
<p>Does your aid cover the direct cost of attending school; tuition, fees, and insurance (if required)?</p>
<p>Every thing else you have control over, which can control your overall cost of attendance; selection of do, living off campus or in the Fray house(if your son is a member) are cheaper option. </p>
<p>Getting the minimum meal plan if living on campus or opting out if you live off campus. </p>
<p>Purchasing used, renting, borrowing books from friends and comparison shopping bs. Buying new.</p>
<p>Curbing spending money for pizza, beer, shopping and going to free events on campus ( my D’s school had a free food list serve. They told you every event taking place on campus where free food was being served) </p>
<p>Holding down a work study employment job if not eligible for federal work study </p>
<p>Shop around for the best price on transportation home during breaks. Carpool with friends to cut down on expenses. </p>
<p>These are just some of the things that u cam talk about ad a family.</p>
<p>Thanks Sybbie - no aid does not cover direct cost of attending. Child took the lowest price housing they could on the basis of their lottery number and class. College does not allow students to live off campus. We are trying everything we can to lower the costs - no meal plan, student works several jobs (let’s face it - that spending money is the lowest of college expenses - will use job for food and utilitites - $7.50 an hour is all work study pays… no matter what the job) My kids live frugally. = they walk or take public transportation - have shoes that are falling apart- few clothes, winter jackets are still from high school, borrow library books, use the campus printing facilities, etc. (Family hasn’t taken a vacation since the 1990’s) The one car we have has over 175,000 miles on it. I have huge medical expenses.</p>
<p>OP…you say that the school uses a LOWER cost of attendance for the purpose of awarding financial aid than it lists on the school website…and that this year your student will be “short” $4000-$7000 depending on how you look at the numbers.</p>
<p>My question is simple…has the school used this SAME lower number for awarding financial aid in PREVIOUS years…or is this something NEW? If it’s something NEW that’s one thing. If this has been their policy for the last three years as well, how did you cover this differential in the last three years?</p>
<p>I have no idea how what numbers they used in previous years. We only took Stafford loans.</p>
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<p>Actually whether the school GUARANTEES to meet full need DOES have some bearing on financial aid awards. If a school guarantees to meet the full need of all students based on the SCHOOL’s calculation of your need, then your financial aid package would see a change (increase) in your financial aid if your financial situation worsens. If a school does NOT guarantee to meet full need, then very likely, the school will NOT meet full need regardless of your reduced financial situation.</p>
<p>E.g. Our kiddo went to a school that did not meet full need. When we had two in college, our financial situation showed an EFC of HALF of what it had been the previous year. Our kiddo got a $250 scholarship increase in financial aid for his senior year. And the EFC dropped by $25,000. The school didn’t guarantee to meet his need…and they didn’t.</p>
<p>He was a senior (like your daughter). </p>
<p>It sounds like your daughter’s school does not meet full need of all accepted students…and they aren’t.</p>
<p>Also, as noted above, many schools assume a much larger STUDENT contribution as kids move up in their college years.</p>
<p>Thanks thumper - so where/how can one determine if their schools GUARANTEES need? What percentage would you estimate a senior should contribute to their college expenses? Website says kids are expected to contribute half of their summer earnings - my kid will contribute well more than half of their summer earnings as well as all of their earning during the school year - and believe me, unlike many students, there are no spring break trips, clothing, partying, etc. They have also incurred a substantial amount of loans.
I’m just looking for another way to approach the school - it would be a shame for them to not graduate from that school, not to mention no school would accept all of their credits if they transferred. Child plans to go on to graduate school (paying their own way and being a TA.)</p>