Hi, everyone. I am really excited to be recently admitted into USC Marshall’s Class of 2023. USC was my dream school for years, and I knew that, given a fair financial aid package, I would commit to USC in a heartbeat. Receiving my financial aid package today, however, I felt that my dreams were crushed. Below is my yearly FA package:
Estimated Cost of Attendance: $77,909
Gift Aid: $11,901
–University Grant: $8151
--University Scholarship: $3750
Loans and Work:
–Work Study: $2750
–Federal Subsidized Loan: $3500
--Federal Unsubsidized Loan: $2000
Estimated Remaining Cost: $57750
My FAFSA EFC is only $4432, and given this financial aid package, there is almost no way that my family could possibly afford USC. At UMichigan, another school I was accepted to as an Econ Major, my estimated remaining cost is ~$14000, and even in my other FA packages from other schools, my remaining cost is $21K max. I certainly did not expect an estimated remaining cost of $58K at USC. (As an aspiring businesswoman, I would love to be a Marshall student.)
If anyone has any thoughts or advice, that would be greatly appreciated. I come from a single-parent, immigrant household in NYC with an AGI of $40K. I am completely disappointed with my aid package, and I am really, really lost.
Thank you in advance.
This is just crazy. We didn’t get any aid at all.
What surprises some re aid, particularly CA residents, with crazy expensive real estate, is that if you have equity in your home or any retirement plans, etc., those “should be” liquidated to pay for college expenses. It’s money in the bank in their analysis as a CSS school.
There would also be travel expenses back and forth to USC that are not included in the above COA - so you are looking at $80+ most likely. UMich for 14k is a heckuva deal.
I’d say buy your U of Michigan sweatshirt.
Most schools, and FAFSA, doesn’t include the amount in your retirement plan as an asset available to pay for college. They do consider the amount you are contributing, but not the amount contributed in past years. FAFSA schools also don’t include your primary home.
CSS schools can do whatever they want.
@twoinanddone we co-posted pretty much same thing at same time. 
Like so many, USC SCA has been our son’s dream forever. As we await FA, we’re not anticipating anything affordable - but still hopeful.
OP - We’re in a similar position with UMich. Son leaves in a few hours for Shipman Weekend, and he loved our visit there. Maybe consider a Business Minor at Ross. It’s is an outstanding B school.
The spirit at UMich is insane and they are another super loyal bunch of alum. If that’s the alternative, it’s a great one. Wish you all well with your choice.
Hi!
I’m basically in the exact same situation here! I’m especially surprised because when I did the NPC, it told me my gift aid would be $50k-60k. Is there any way to get my file reevaluated? I got into SCA and I really don’t want to go anywhere else. Any help would be appreciated!
@CelestialDreams Looks like we’re on the same boat. My NPC said my net price is $21K, but I got hit with the $66K. I called FA Office today, and I asked them if there was any way I could appeal. They were nice enough to look through my FA application and tell me what was driving my net price up. They also told me they would give my situation another look because they had some misinformation. Now I have to wait 2-3 days, they said.
This is all super, super sad.
@CADREAMIN @romns116 Thanks for the insight. I called the FA office, and when they looked through my FA application, they did mention home equity since my family owns a house. The FA office said they would give my case another look, and I will keep you updated then.
Ok, thanks! I’ll contact them as well in that case. Just hoping for the best!
@celestialdreams Aren’t you international?, which means you can’t get federal aid… I think you may have confused the idea of gift aid or misread NPC?
I do live in the UK but I am an American citizen. For a few other schools, I received Pell Grants that aren’t present on my summary for USC.
Oh ok, that makes more sense, so give them a call. Can’t hurt to ask!
Thanks! I’ll call when their offices open!
Have your phone charged. Hold times can be longer this week than any other time.
- I hate seeing when this sort of thing happens, and it happens all too often.
- Let your college choice be a dispassionate business decision - either Michigan or USC will get you where you want in life. They are both solid, respectable schools that most anyone would be proud to attend. I doubt most HR people would make a distinction between the two, unless it was for a particular specialized program.
- Go on offense with USC's financial aid office. Let them know a) how much you REALLY want to go to school there - for real, not just as another random top tier school - and make that clear in your appeal letters, and b) be sure to document clearly your REAL need.
The thing you have to remember after the shock fades over this is that universities pull this sort of B.S. all the time (they’re businesses) and that they’re also wary of all of the slimy parents out there who are trying to pull a fast one on them by hiding assets from financial aid disclosure forms. I’m not at all accusing you of that, but simply saying that it’s a reality / fact of life that schools have to deal with. So be sure you have tax returns, income statements, etc. ready to send over as valid PROOF of your financial need.
You’re exactly the kind of person I think of when I hear stories like the lovely Lori Laughlin / Olivia Jade scandal right now.
Also be sure to apply for OUTSIDE scholarships along the way and then for INTERNAL scholarships to wherever you decide to go to school. Lots of money out there and every little bit helps.
@CelestialDreams
My daughter is SCA Film Production too. She got zero financial aid and we can only afford about 30K. She has wanted to go to USC since she was 15, and it motivated her to fight through a devastating and excruciating neurological illness. Her other option is Chapman film production, where she got financial aid and merit aid. I hope USC just made some sort of mistake.
Ok, so I called FAO and what was driving the cost up for me was money in my mum’s savings account that is set aside for building works.
The man was very nice and explained everything including how to appeal. Hopefully, everything will go well!
Be prepared as very few financial aid appeals work or the amount given is negligible (even when they are nice on the phone). They can’t tell you not to appeal. I don’t know what “building works” is, but the money exists and things like home equity, savings accounts, etc., are considered as available funds to pay for certain colleges including USC.