Should I put down my deposit before receiving my aid package?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

I was accepted to CoE on March 2nd and I’m still waiting on my financial aid package, since the financial aid office asked me for more verification documents several times. I just turned in my (hopefully) final round of documents from my biological/noncustodial father on April 13th, so they should be marked as received on Wolverine Access soon. I’ve been dying to put down my deposit for over a month now and I’m just waiting on financial aid; however, at this point, I’m fairly certain I won’t be getting my aid package until April 27th at the very earliest. I have tried the NPC and the number it gave me was affordable but I’m still really worried since money is a huge issue for me.

In anyone’s experience, is it possible that I might not get my aid package until after May 1st? Would it also be risky to put my enrollment deposit down before the May 1st deadline if I haven’t received my aid yet (as in, would they give me less aid than they usually would since I put my deposit down before I received an estimate)?

I really want to put my deposit down as soon as possible if it’s a good idea, since I want to start working on the housing application and apply for the learning community I’m interested in.

Thank you so much in advance for any help you guys, I’m first gen and most of my friends are going to community college so I have no real experience with this process. I really appreciate any advice you have to offer.

2

As long as you know you are going there regardless of what aid comes through (or doesn’t), go ahead and put your deposit down. I didn’t have my award letter but still put a deposit down so I could register for orientation - but I knew I could pay for everything either way.

My FA package changed lots of times well into the summer months. Additional funding sources were added, tuition increased, housing increased, state scholarship eventually came through…etc.

Putting a deposit down will not alter what final award you will receive. I recommend staying in touch with the FA office - if even through their on-line chat. They were wonderful to me last year and helped keep my stress at bay.

3

Contact financial aid by calling /email /chat but don’t put it off. Let them know about your situation and you are hoping to be able to afford to go (regardless of your situation) this will put a little pressure on them to complete your estimate. You can even just ask for that an estimate so you have a clue.

4

@098123Student @Knowsstuff Thank you both for the advice! All of my documents have been received and I talked to a financial aid officer about it last week so I went ahead and put down my deposit. :slight_smile:

5

Congratulations!