<p>Last year, I spoke with Bard College's admissions office about my finanical aid package. I was given a great package, including a $24K scholarship. It pretty much met my EFC, but FAFSA doesn't include highschool tuition for siblings (I have two sibling at a $8K a year private). They told me that if I did well my first semester, I would be eligable for more aid. </p>
<p>My first semester I worked hard and got a 3.65 GPA. I'm a science major, so the average GPA in many of my classes was quite low (B in Chem, C+ in Psych, B in Calc II). However, FA told me that I could not receive more aid because my scholarship was the max possible. They told me to apply for the Distinguished Scientist Scholarship, which is the most selective scholarship at Bard and nearly impossible for current students to get. I have been told by my advisor that I will be a competitive applicant because of my ambition and because I have been doing research in the Chem department, but I will be able to get is $5K. My EFC this year dropped about $8K, and FA has told me they will most likely not adjust my package. </p>
<p>I have applied to other school as a transfer to see if I can get a better package, but I'm worried. I am paying for college myself (possibly getting $5K a year from my parents, but due to the current financial situation that may not be happening). Has anyone had experience with this? I am getting alot of oppurtunities at Bard, and would not mind staying (there are some reasons why I wanted to transfer in the first place, however), but the cost is just going to be a huge burden.</p>
<p>There probably isn't much that you can do. My personal advice would be to get it in writing next time. Words can be disputed but what is on paper can't.</p>
<p>Verbal agreements can be held up in court- but I am wondering if the reference to the Distinquished scientist scholarship is what they were referring to regarding eligibility for more aid.</p>
<p>I agree get it in writing- for clarity's sake.</p>
<p>Im also curious as to why your parents would pay $16,000 for two sibs to attend private school, but not contribute to your college education.</p>
<p>Our town's public school is terrible, and because I originally went there one close to a full ride, my brothers kind of guilted them into letting them attend. They get, I think, like $4K in aid combined. I'm not sure.</p>
<p>Keep in mind of two things: they said you were "eligible" for more aid. They did not say you would "receive" more aid. There may have been some confusion in communication and terminology that you received, but it doesn't sound like they outright lied to you.</p>
<p>Also, everyone needs to remember, that the rules can change from year to year..so a college may intend to award additional aid in subsequent years but due to a change in rules, or even a lack of outside funding, may have to alter their original plans. It isn't always a lie....sometimes, circumstances can change tremendously that prevent them from following through.</p>
<p>For example, my institution made a similar promise to multiple students a few years. However, due to circumstances beyond our control, we lost millions of dollars of funding over the summer and no longer had the fiscal resources. We scrambled to find alternative sources to compensate, but it wasn't the same as the original offer that was made.</p>