<p>I've had to complete the financial aid process later than usual because of re-entry after illness. However, every time I send something to clear my to-do list, another few items appear on the to-do list. And when I clear those, another set of new items appear. Can't UVA financial aid specify all the documents I need to send at once? This is getting really annoying, as I need to cover rent and I can't make any wages in my lab when I am getting credit for it during the school year.</p>
<p>Two weeks ago, my mom specifically called the financial aid office to see what else they needed in addition to the then-requested documents. They didn’t say they wanted document X. Now they want document X. Now my mom has to go through her employer’s bureaucracy all over again to get it. Couldn’t they have told us they wanted document X two weeks ago?!</p>
<p>Oh, and forms that require both a parent signature and a student signature, for something as simple as to verify the number of people in a household. This is so inconvenient for an out of state family. Why is the parent’s signature required for that? Do they think the student will misestimate the number of people in his or her household?</p>
<p>For it to pass both our hands, I have to walk her step by step through the financial aid website (at work) so she can download it and sign it, then she has mail it 900 miles to me (I don’t have fax), then I have to sign it, then I have to go all the way to Carruther’s to turn it in. Couldn’t they just require the parent’s signature or the student’s signature, but not both? It’s so inconsiderate. At times my mom has simply told me to forge her signature as it’s much easier for the both of us.</p>
<p>One of the values of a college degree is that it teaches you how to function within a bureacracy. </p>
<p>It can be frustrating, but please be respectful of the University’s generosity - especially if they are even paying your rent.</p>
<p>There also are some forms that may need to be done certain ways to meet Federal requirements. The Feds have a process for certification of a some financial aid documents by each college.</p>
<p>Plus, evita, what is the benefit of spouting off on cc about something none of us can solve for you. Your time would have been better spent searching for the names of senior officials at the University that are empowered to help you out. Here is a list of employees under the Assistant VP Finance and Interim Director of Student Financial Services:</p>
<p>Assistant Vice President for Finance and Interim Director of Student Financial Services Stephen A. Kimata
Senior Associate Comptroller for Accounting Services Tommye C. Arnold
Director of Tax Compliance and Operational Contracts William G. Define
Business Intelligence Specialist A. F. Seaman, Jr.
Executive Director and Senior Advisor for Financial Aid Yvonne B. Hubbard
Assistant Director, Student Financial Services Sarah Jordan
Assistant Director, Student Accounts and Cashiering Lisa Shuler
Senior Associate Director Financial Aid Scott Miller
Manager, Communicationa and Customer Service Chris Doran
Manager, Informaiton technology Support Wendy West</p>
<p>You can find their contact info through the UVa people search feature. </p>
<p>You might start with Ms. Hubbard. She is terrific, although she was detailed to a special assignment last semester. Even if she is still out, she will shepherd your issue to the correct person.</p>
<p>It relieves stress? The only way to solve the problem is to solve it myself. As I have always done. I just had to vent. Maybe one day someone can design a more effective e-signature system or something.</p>
<p>Frankly EP, it makes you sound like an exceptionally ungrateful young adult who is receiving an exceptional education through an amazingly generous financial aid program. If you have to jump through a few hoops to get there, as frustrating as it might seem, it may be good to keep in mind the benefits you are receiving. </p>
<p>There are many, many students all over the country who have to delay, take gaps in college, or forgo it completely because the schools they are admitted to are not committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated need. They are awarded aid, but they can’t afford the gap between that and the total cost of attendance. College is simply out of reach financially. Students like this would be happy to sign any amount of papers, at any rate requested, to get the deal AccessUVA offers. </p>
<p>I’m glad that venting here is a stress reliever. Hopefully as you mature you will recognize when something is actually a minor inconvenience in comparison to the benefits you are receiving. After all, you always have the option to say “No thank you” to you aid package and handle financing on your own. I believe this is the same advise I gave you when you complained last year that one of your grants was from a family foundation that you had moral objections to as they were involved in the chemical industry. You always have the option to say no.</p>
<p>I’m not used to doing this during the school year. Homework deadlines are already tight. I also work two jobs. Yesterday I had to skip two classes just so I could go to Carruther’s.</p>
<p>I took a gap semester for schizoaffective disorder which prevented me from submitting financial aid documents in the normal timeframe (as they couldn’t receive them as I was not officially enrolled). Now I have to deal with document submission during the school year. It is so time-consuming. Homework deadlines are already tight. I also work two jobs. Yesterday I had to skip two classes just so I could go to Carruthers. I already missed a problem set. Ugh, I really wish I could pull the trigger right now.</p>
<p>Evita, I am worried about you. I hope you will take Ava’s advice and call a specific person and Financial Aid, and I also hope you are taking care of all of your health needs.</p>
<p>Evita: This is Allen Groves, the University Dean of Students at UVA. Why don’t you call my office at 434.924.7133 and ask for Associate Dean Laurie Casteen or me. We can perhaps help you work through the issues you are having with these forms. We are also good resources to you if you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed with school right now. The Counseling Center (CAPS) in Student Health (JPA and Brandon Ave.) is also a terrific confidential resource. You can reach them at 434.243.5150 weekdays during business hours or at 434.972.7004 weekends and evenings. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you are feeling frustrated.</p>
<p>EP - I apologize for the delay in response. I was receiving a warning message from Google that CC contained malware and was avoiding the site until I was sure it was safe. Please, please do contact Dean Groves office if you are feeling overwhelmed with the balance of schoolwork and getting the necessary papers filed. There are people there that can help you. There is only so much we here as a community at CC can do to offer emotional support. Reach out to the people who are right there at UVa who are trained and ready to do so.</p>