Waitlist hopeful worried about finaid

Colleges and Universities A-Z Smith College
1

<p>Hi :D in need of some dire help please~</p>

<p>I've been waitlisted at Smith and am now in the process of tring to guestimate my Smith finaid. I know that it's really difficult to try and guess how much aid I will recieve, but I still want to try and get a range of how much I might have to forkup so I can persuade my parents to let me go if I'm admitted.
From what Smith has told me, I will get finaid without regard to being waitlisted, so I'm very happy about that. </p>

<p>So here's my financial status so far:</p>

<p>My EFC (according to FAFSA): 2,854
Family income range: 45,000~ 55,000</p>

<p>I live in SoCal, and have an older sister in college. </p>

<p>From the colleges I got accepted to so far, my largest expense (including loans and work study) is about $17,000, my lowest being $10,000. But these are all low because I have a Calgrant to be thankful for. My Calgrant wont work if I go out of state, so I'm really scared Smith will be very expensive.</p>

<p>Is there anyone who is in a similar financial situation as me who can give me some help? </p>

<p>After searching through CC, I've been able to find that (once a few years ago) the average cost was about $20,000? i think. But I don't know if this cost is including loans and work study and excluding merit scholarships. since I was waitlisted, I know I won't get any merit scholarships :( </p>

<p>Any input would be greatly appreciated. :D Smith is my top college and I hope financial issues won't keep me from attending.</p>

<p>Thank you for your help!</p>

<p>Oh, is there any waitlist advises? I will be maling Smith my letter of interest and 2 letters of rec (one from volunteer and 1 teacher) very soon, is there anything else I can do to show Smith that I really want to go?</p>

2

<p>We’re from SoCal. A friend of D’s was admitted from the waitlist and got very good FinAid from Smith. Single mom with income in your family range or a little lower and COA was $6K a year or so.</p>

<p>Your letter of interest and recs are exactly the right thing to do. Tell them that if you’re admitted you will come as long as FinAid makes it possible.</p>

3

<p>Oh Wow. That’s really helpful!!! Thank you!</p>

<p>Do you know if her COA was including loans and work study? </p>

<p>My parents aren’t that eclectic about having tons of student loans by the time I graduate.</p>

4

<p>Take it as a given that you will have loans. It’s your skin in the game. If you are low-income, it likely be no more than the Stafford subsidized maximums, around $20k, give or take. Could be less.</p>

5

<p>As Mini says, $20K in loans (for you) is a reasonable amount to expect and not extremely onerous to pay off. Work study will almost certainly be a component.</p>

6

<p>Eclectic – I think that word may not mean what you think it means :slight_smile: </p>

<p>As others have said, loans are a given, particularly with a school like Smith. But it’s unlikely that you’ll have more than the stafford maximums given your income. And you’ll have workstudy (which for your first year at least means dining hall duty or tutoring)</p>

<p>If you’re worried about them giving away all of the good financial aid before you get accepted off the waitlist. Smith will still meet 100% of your demonstrated need (as calculated by them) regardless of when they accept you. </p>

<p>I know it’s hard, but try not to worry too much. Finaid is just one of those things you can’t really control. Hang in there.</p>

7

<p>Ohh, thank you guys soo much. I got to talking with my mom and she’s saying that I can only go if she agrees with the finaid. I hope i’ll get accepted through the waitlist :)</p>

<p>ahh one last question. I’m getting my extra things ready to send to Smith, I got 4 additional recomendors(1 EC, 1 principal, 2 teachers) to write my recommendations, I’m kind of worried that 4 rec lettters might be a few too many. Do you think Smith might find me sending that many annoying or would it be OK?</p>

<p>Many thanks and I’m very grateful for all your help!!!</p>