<p>I only received $6600 (not counting loans) to attend BU. I live in a household of 3 (grandma, mom, me). My mother is the only one working, and she makes about $26000 a year. She also has not receive any child support whatsoever.</p>
<p>Tuition is double my mother's income.</p>
<p>I read that in order to appeal, I must accept my current financial aid awards(lol). However, if I do so, that would mean I am attending right? If they still don't give me enough money.. what am I going to do? </p>
<p>As of now, BU is the only college I would consider going to.. It's either that or community college. If I don't receive enough financial aid, could I withdraw in the summer? If I do go to community college, I must register ahead of time because classes will be filled immediately. Could I register for both community college and BU--just incase?</p>
<p>The website says.. "Those with comparatively weaker records receive no grant despite their financial need and admission to the University." I am actually part of the weaker students.. (3.65W gpa, 1780 superscore SAT, 27 ACT). However, a poster stated that her stats were lower than mine.. and she's only paying $3000 to go.</p>
<p>Also.. in my awards page.. "however, University funding is insufficient to award all students with calculated need. Therefore, we are unable to offer you University grant funds." Does this mean I won't get University grant funds even if I appeal? How do University grant funds work anyway?</p>
<p>It’s reasonable to talk with them, but it would be very likely for them to increase aid enough for you to attend. Definitely register for community college and call BU Monday to get an understanding of where they stand.</p>
<p>This sounds like what they call an admit/deny. They have admitted you but by giving you very little in the way of financial aid, when you have such high need, they are effectively denying you. It sounds like the only grant aid you got was federal (from the amounts you post I am guessing perhaps a Pell of $5350 and an ACG of $750 or possibly some SEOG funds).</p>
<p>You can appeal but I suspect it will be fruitless as they obviously are already aware that you have very high need. But do appeal so you don’t always wonder what would have happened if you had. But sign up for those CC classes. You will probably get a similar amount of aid for CC as you will be eligible for the same amount of Pell wherever you go (assuming the COA exceeds the Pell).</p>
<p>I would suggest going to the community college & working really hard. Get to know your profs. Let them help you find some schools that might have better need based aid for you. There are so many wonderful schools around, and many will offer you more than BU offered you.</p>
<p>This is the link to BU’s financial aid matrix. It shows only a 43% chance of being given a grant based on your income and stats. Of course it wouldn’t hurt to appeal, because average grant given to that 43% is pretty hefty. </p>
<p>Why would you apply to an expensive school with low stats? Do you expect them to give you money over someone who worked harder and performed better through HS? Kelsmom gives good advice. I would listen to her.</p>
<p>you did your fafsa and CSS profile right?? You have stafford and maybe perkins loans on your FA award??? Did you qualify for a Pell Grant</p>
<p>BU is saying, they are just not that into you. You can appeal, but the amount that you would need to ‘get’ is going to be way more than they are willing to ‘give’ IMO</p>
<p>from other posts, I think the OP is in California. Did you apply to their schools, Cal Grant, etc. Could you afford to GET to Boston from California a couple of times a year??</p>
<p>@ Erin’s Dad; well… I applied to other schools too. I applied to BU because I was genuinely interested in its Core Curriculum. I know I’m not a stellar student, but who are you to say that I didn’t work hard in high school? Surely, I may not have performed as well as others, but I did WORK for my grades. </p>
<p>@ sueinphilly; yes, I did complete FAFSA and CSS profile. I got ACG, SEOG,and Pell grant. Also, federal sub/unsubsized loans, which gives me about $5500 in addition to the $6600. Yeah… I realized that’s probably the case… that they’re not into me. I am in California, and yes, I did apply to CSUs and UCs. I’m not considering CSUs at all. Most of the UCs that I applied to rejected me. I’m still waiting on WFU and College of W&M, and acceptance doesn’t seem very likely due to obvious reasons. At the moment, my choices are UC Riverside and BU. Airfare is not a problem. $44000 for four years would be though. </p>
<p>If I have to accept my current aid from BU in order to receive more money, then I guess I will just decline. Apparently, it’s what they’re telling me anyway. lol.</p>
<p>I would think that you could get all the same federal grants/aid/loans and ALSO the Cal Grant to go to a California college (I really don’t know the diff btw a CSU and UC). If you can manage another 4 years in CA and graduate with minimal debt, Boston will STILL BE THERE for you to come to.</p>
<p>I don’t think there is any way for a student to borrow 40K A YEAR for school anymore and there SHOULDN"T be. Don’t even think of it. </p>
<p>I have lived on the east coast my entire life. I would LOVE to come to CA (I’m way past college age). Work hard, save up, visit Boston during a school break (if you haven’t already been there)</p>
<p>CSU (min GPA 2.0… if you have higher than 3.0 SAT scores aren’t even required, I think) are generally easier to get into than UCs. UCR is pretty much one of the easier UCs to get into when compared to UCLA, etc. </p>
<p>Yeah. I’m trying to graduate with minimal debt. Cal grants are for California schools only. I will probably go to UCR instead since I would only need to pay about 4k-6k. Do you think it would be worth it to call them and see if there would be any possible way to receive more grant money? They offered me a free application. All I had to do was send them an email saying I was interested. I realize that I should not complain about 4k-6k, but if there is even a slight chance to receive more money, I would go through the process.</p>
<p>Cal Grant would cover systemwide fees (tuition) at any UC or CSU. Your federal grants would be in addition to the Cal Grant. If “airfare is not a problem,” three trips back and forth to Boston could easily cover your self-help and you could graduate debt-free and do your graduate study in Boston.</p>
<p>You can always call UCR. Most likely, they have probably given you what they can give you, though. I work at a state U, and we have a set computer program that awards aid. We have a system in place that looks at EFC and makes awards on that basis. </p>
<p>Is the $16k grants? If so, you have $5500 in Stafford loans to help make up the $8000 gap - and if you add up just your direct costs (tuition, fees, room, and board), you may find it’s actually less than $8000. COA usually includes miscellaneous expenses, which you can keep to a minimum by being frugal. You can also enroll in a payment plan, get a job, and pay the extra over time. There are ways to make it work without getting into too much debt. Good luck - it seems like you’ve made a wise decision. </p>
<p>I agree with those who say that Boston will be there for your future. Do well at UCR, and you will have some great options.</p>