<p>My annual family salary is about $10,000 (I am an international student). In the bank account, my parents have about $40,000 as they has saved money for a long long long time. Then they decided to use all the money for my education, which means they filled the number 10,000 in the EFC blank in the ISFAA when I applied to college (40,000 for 4 years)</p>
<p>Vandy was great to give my family $55,000 (I received email on Jan 23). When I saw on Vanderbilt Undergraduate website, the total cost was about 56,000. Therefore, my parents decided to send my uncle their savings to buy a new house for my grandparents. A few days later, the cost I read on the Fin Aid website was 59,000. I decided to appeal via email to the Director of the Financial Aid Office but he did not accept as the funds was limited.</p>
<p>But on April 5, I received my package and the total cost in 2011-2012 was more than 63000 :|, which means we have to contribute about $8000/year. Now the bank account has nearly run out and my family just can not pay for such a large amount of money. We have not taken such circumstances into consideration...</p>
<p>What should I do now? Should I made a phone call to the Financial Aid Office? I am an international student and I can not get additional funds elsewhere. </p>
<p>P/S: Vandy is the only place I can go to now</p>
<p>Do international students pay more or is the COA just higher to cover expenses for travel? Here is what the COA ($59938) includes for my daughter and you can compare to see differences:
$4700 board
$1344 books/supplies
$1014 fees
$664 freshman experience fee
$8826 housing
$2350 Personal
$30 Transcript fee
$690 Transportation
$40320 Tuition</p>
<p>I am guessing maybe the difference would be for your transportation. Other than that personal expenses can be controlled somewhat and you can find ways to save on your books. Take a look at what travel is going to realistically cost you and that will help figure things out as well. </p>
<p>It is unfortunate that your parents gave the savings away due to the fact that your aid package can change from year to year. You can have an idea of what it will be but there are no guarantees. I do hope it works out for you.</p>
<p>Mine is the same but I have to pay additional amount for Engineering fee ($2150) and $63,176 does not include the air plane ticket and health insurance…</p>
<p>Should I appeal again:( ? </p>
<p>Btw, what is “laptop allowance”? Does it mean that to be allowed to use laptop in college of engineering I have to pay about $2000 dollars? Or it means the cost of a laptop is about $2000? The former idea is ridiculous…so may be the later right?</p>
<p>$1500 is the “laptop allowance”. It is the amount of money Vanderbilt expects you to have to pay for a laptop. You don’t pay this to Vanderbilt, and obviously you are free to buy a much more affordable computer. This $1500 figure will only appear on the COA for your first semester.</p>
<p>$615 is engineering fees, I think. You have to pay those.</p>
<p>That’s a tough situation you’re in. If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.</p>
<p>Runningmom, those are interesting numbers. D’s COA is stated to be the same, except for transportation at $786 instead of $690 in your case. I wouldn’t expect the F.A. office to estimate air fare, but maybe they did. If so, I am wondering how many round trips are included.</p>
<p>Victor9, </p>
<p>Maybe they base the number for transportation on how far away from Vanderbilt you live. I guess that would only be fair. We are in Indiana so most if not all trips will be driving. It would be interesting to know what they estimated for the OP with regard to transportation.</p>
<p>I don’t see how it could hurt to call the school and explain your situation. Maybe something can be worked out with on campus employment? The school has always been very understanding with my children. Best of luck.</p>
<p>“my parents decided to send my uncle their savings to buy a new house for my grandparents.”</p>
<p>You just received the aid letter. Did it ever cross your and your parents mind to ask for the $40,000 back? I can’t possibly believe the money is already lost/spent on a house. Your parent are responsible and belong being responsible (at least in part) for the cost of your education. Vanderbilt should not have to subsidize the cost of housing your grandparents. The $40,000 you get takes away from someone else (most likely living here in the USA).</p>
<p>The total cost ($63,000) estimates several things. I doubt you will spend that much, especially if you are conscientious about spending, i.e. finding deals on books, school supplies, travel, etc.</p>