<p>My family has financial need and I was accepted into both UVa and W&M. I really want to attend UVa but I was given only a 4600 Pell Grant and 648 UVa Access Scholarship and 9000 in loans per year. Leaving my family to find 10,000 a year to pay for school when 4000 is what we were aiming for.</p>
<p>I already paid my UVa deposit, it was my absolute top choice but W&M had notified me that my financial aid package was ready. They offered me the same 4600 Pell Grant and a 11,000 VGAP grant! I would have 5500 in loans per year and 2000 in work study and school would cost my family only 1000 dollars a year!</p>
<p>I love UVa, and their business school is absolutely amazing. But my family will struggle to find that money to pay for it and I want to be a fair to my parents who still have 2 more kids to pay for. Is there any way that these VGAP loans which are not with W&M but for the state of Virginia be offered to me at UVa. </p>
<p>I have no idea why the aid packages are so different for need based aid especially since my EFC is like 00900 (that's the code) and it's very low. If you can give me any advice to make UVa possible, I would be so thankful.</p>
<p>Remember that admissions to UVa’s Commerce School is very competitive, at the end of your second year. IF W&M allows everyone into their business program, and you definitely want to study business, then that may be a factor to consider.</p>
<p>William and Mary is a great choice and the cost/loan difference makes it a no-brainer.</p>
<p>Your EFC only determines eligibility for limited federal grants and loans. It is not a guarantee that any school will give you aid up to that number.</p>
<p>If you are a VA state resident, and you simply cannot stomach W&M, go to your local community college for the first two years, and then transfer to UVA. The VA community colleges have formal articulation agreements with the VA public universities. If you choose your major carefully, you may be able to transfer directly into the program that you want.</p>
<p>Why would not want to go to William & Mary? I understand a burning desire to go to UVa but W&M is a great college and there are lots of OOS students clamoring to get in there. You got an amazing financial aid package to a top-ranked public. Take it!</p>
<p>uvalove, congrats on having such a great choice! This is one of the few times I’ve ever heard of a better aid package being offered at W&M than at UVA. W&M says it meets full need for instate students; UVA says it will meet the full need of all students. I’m surprised they couldn’t do better by an in-state student with such a low EFC. Have you called the Financial Aid office at UVA? I’d do that and tell them about your offer from W&M, in case they’d be willing to make an adjustment, or might realize they’ve made a mistake.</p>
<p>If UVA can’t increase its offer, I think you’d get a great education at W&M and come out with excellent prospects. And I think you’re very considerate to be concerned about how your parents will manage to pay for your siblings’ educations, too. Good luck!</p>