<p>I ask, because I am wondering if they are the subsidized Stafford loans or even part of the unsubsidized of the same. How much in loans did they estimate for you? </p>
<p>You are not guaranteed the workstudy job. You are entitled to the hours, and you have to go to the financial aid office, look at what is there and find the job that fits your schedule and allotment best. The amount given is the maximum you can get through the Work Study program but many jobs will continue a student and pay them out of their own funds when the allotment runs out. CMU does have some great opportunites in work study and on campus jobs.</p>
<p>I am asking about the loans because every freshman vetted by FAFSA can get $5500 from government of Stafford loans. Up to $3500 can be subsidized in that no interest accrues while you are in school, and the interest rate is lower than the unsub loans. If you have need, that subsidized loan is used by some colleges as part of their financial aid package. If CMU had not done that, then you could borrow the entire $5500 on an unsub basis toward your EFC. </p>
<p>This is why I don’t like ED. You can’t compare offers. CMU clearly uses workstudy and the Stafford as part of the financial aid award, They guarantee to meet full need, but that is a way that the do meet it and they also have inhouse loans as well. It is possible that another school would offer a package that is not so self help heavy and leave you your Stafford and time to borrow and work to meet your EFC.</p>