<p>Actually for many first time applicants and their parents the idea of “gapping” comes as an unpleasant surprise when they get their first financial aid package. I was hoping to provide some insight into the process for posters who do NOT know all the ins and outs of the financial aid process and its outcomes.</p>
<p>Hoping to turn a “rant” into a “how-to” to help out other readers so some the shocks of financial aid are not so traumatic, when the realization of the less than needed is being offered.</p>
<p>lol zoozermom!! i think it is the waiting that is getting to everyone…that time where there is nothing to do but twiddle your thumbs and hope it all works out come april 1st. </p>
<p>i am praying my son takes his free ride school (he would be crazy not to!!) but he still holds out some hope for others, despite talks and explanations over the past months. i told him we could pay x amount and now am trying desperately not to reneg on the agreement… but geez when there is a full ride (including phd covered also) on the table…what is there to discuss LOL</p>
<p>so i dont get to rant over FA, just the workings of an 18 year old mind</p>
<p>I would like a place to whine but no-one really listens. My sons situation for his “dream” school follows this post to the letter. He knows we have some tough decisions to make in the next few weeks(my hope is it’s days).
That being said thank you for giving me the opportunity to whine. At my age its become less acceptable to do so in public.
So for now we sent in an appeal letter and see what happens…looks like a few more years until retirement.</p>
<p>We have a high EFC(to us it is staggeringly high), not full pay at a private but full pay at our state flagship. It is still frustrating to come up short. However, I am well aware that there is a world of difference between having a high EFC and a low one. We are very lucky to have far more flexibility than most folks in the US. </p>
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<p>Which is entirely reasonable. Honestly, I think it says more about those who cannot let anyone vent for one blessed thread than it does about those who want to vent. </p>
<p>So vent away! I am listening, making tea and baking brownies.</p>
<p>Sometimes you get lucky. Not always, but sometimes. Like they find a “leadership” scholarship for a couple of thousand or a “because you’re cute” grant for a couple of thousand and there you are. There’s simply no way to know unless you try and when you put yourself out there, sometimes you’re disappointed.</p>
<p>Thanks pudmagkate for being so kind and entertaining. I had almost regretted starting this thread!!! </p>
<p>There are plenty of threads to argue/discuss the validity of EFC’s, choosing what you can afford etc. - I understand all that and have lived it in real life and on CC with my first child and now with my second. All I wanted was a “moment” to de-stress. :)</p>
<p>Did anybody even read your OP abasket? :rolleyes: I’d love to help you out with a rant of my own, but didn’t have one (QB match.) Hang in there, somebody is eventually going to want just b"“”" and not preach OT.</p>
<p>I am sad that I can’t give S his dream school. I would like to whine about the unrealistic expectations set up by I’m not sure who - the colleges, guidance counselors, the media?</p>
<p>For a not savvy parent going into this for the first time, I at first fell for the hype. But that’s not realistic - they expect people to finance astronomical costs like it’s nothing to worry about.</p>
<p>CCD said: “Why do some people feel that they are entitled to a hand out? Anything a college gives is charity, so keep your mouth shut”</p>
<p>Please start a separate “I Want To Rant About People Who Want To Whine About Financial Aid” thread so that I can put it on ignore.</p>
<p>Here’s my whine: we had everything all set up, then the housing market busted, retirement accounts took a giant hit and DW’s job took a big hit (if I were a traditional male I guess I’d feel better now about being the main breadwinner now, but no thanks, I’d rather have the money) so now I feel like a freakin’ idiot because my Plan B wasn’t expansive enough to accommodate both College and the Great Recession, and I want my DS to go away to school!!!</p>
<p>My rant…stop the dream school nonsense. No 17 year old needs a dream school and parents should be doing everything possible to stop this mentality. Why set your kid up for disappointment? There are many, many colleges that are practically the same as anyone’s dream school.</p>
<p>Ever time a read the words “dream school” here I cringe.</p>
<p>WARNING: VENT TO FOLLOW (yes, I’m whining - thanks for this thread, abasket)</p>
<p>We got our first FA letter today. After merit aid, the part we are supposed to pay is $46,700. They have also graciously offered us $5,500 in federal loans, so we’re down to $41,200. Ha ha ha! </p>
<p>OK, I feel better now. We’ll scratch this school off the list and keep looking.</p>
I had almost regretted starting this thread!!! </p>