<p>I was recently admitted to Princeton, and I have been admitted almost full financial aid, except a required work-study contribution of about $2,500 and a family contribution of $1,000. My parents make about $10,000 a year, and although I am extremely grateful to Princeton for paying almost my entire tuition, having to pay one-tenth of my parents' income is still a hardship for them, considering the fact that their income is so low. Do you guys think that I should ask them for more assistance, or would that seem kinda unappreciative?</p>
<p>I think you can make 2,500 just working a job for a few months.</p>
<p>Yes, but that’s not the part I’m worried about, it’s the $1,000 family contribution that is of concern.</p>
<p>There’s not going to be any hurt by asking them. They’ve already accepted you and it’s not like they’ll rescind the offer just because you asked for $1000, which is nothing to Princeton anyways. I recommend you give them a call and tell them about your worries. The financial aid office people are generally very reasonable.</p>
<p>Actually, I’m surprised they didn’t give you full tuition when your family income is $10000.</p>
<p>Ok, thanks. Does anyone know how much I can possibly make with a job at Princeton for one year? If I can’t get them to pay the $1,000, I might try to see if I can work it off during the school year.</p>
<p>What you can do is work in your Summer break for the $1000. The on campus job should cover $2500. That is what I am doing.</p>
<p>You can make the 1000 if you work Reunions at the end of your freshman year. The jobs run from set up of tents to food service for the returning alums. My D is planning on working them this year. She also worked in the dining hall second semester only and has made over 1000 thus far. In addition, she works as a “lab rat”- the Psych dept is always needing paid test subjects. It’s fun and she gets paid- She’s only done this second semester as well and has made more than 500.</p>
<p>There’s also library jobs, which require you to just sit at the checkout desk with a computer and help people check books out. When there are no people, which is usually the case, you’re allowed to do other work. Nobody monitors you. They pay like ~$10/hr I think. I think it’s a great job, but I couldn’t manage to get one my freshman year because spots fill up fast. If you’re interested in these kind of jobs, you should start early, like the first day class starts, and try to get them.</p>
<p>Aside from that, most jobs on campus pay like ~$10-$12/hr I think. You can also try to get jobs in the town, like tutor/babysit jobs, which usually pay maybe like $15+/hr.</p>
<p>I had my family contribution reduced to $0 after explaining my family
circumstances to the Princeton* financial aid officer. This usually
entails sending in a cash flow statement for any one given month
in the past year (income, spend, savings, debt).</p>
<p>You might want to consider the earnings advice being given on this forum
in light of your intended concentration/major. Doing ‘Integrated
Sciences’ for example and holding a job may be a relatively more stressful
situation than some other areas? Someone at Pton now
could comment on that.</p>
<p>(*disclosure: I did not choose to matriculate at Princeton)</p>
<p>dining hall jobs make 11.35/hr to start, then you can pretty easily get promoted 2nd semester to make 12.something</p>
<p>it’s pretty feasible to do 8hrs/week, that’s what I’m doing this semester, last semester was harder with 10hrs/week but not impossible</p>
<p>library jobs vary, though many pay 11.35. however i hear it’s generally harder to get more shifts if you want them, and i don’t think you get promoted (i could be lying though)</p>
<p>I am surprised that you are being required pay anything. I think there might have been a mistake. You should contact the financial aid office and ask them about this. If they say no, I would just say that you are requesting that any contributions, whether from you via working in school, or from your parents be removed.</p>