Worried about financial aid

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Delaware
1

<p>Most of the information I found on the board was for incoming freshmen.. I was just wondering how financial aid has been for returning undergrads? I'm going to be a senior this fall and haven't had to leave the financial aid "up to chance" until this year.</p>

<p>Background: As an incoming freshman I got a full tuition scholarship from the engineering department for all 4 years, but after a year I realized that is not what I wanted my major to be so after my sophomore year I switched and lost my scholarship as a result (my parents thought this was a very dumb move and said if I changed my major I would have to pay for school myself - understandable. I don't regret it at all though, and I couldn't be happier with my new major). That summer I worked full time and was lucky enough to pay for my junior year out of pocket. I am in-state and lived at home, so the costs were mostly just tuition plus winter session.</p>

<p>I have been working this summer too, and applied for an outside scholarship and am still a little short for in-state tuition. Also, since I lived at home all 3 years so far, I would REALLY like to live on campus for my last year at UD. This can only be done if I get enough merit/need based aid.</p>

<p>Waiting for my financial aid package has been driving me CRAZY! I was just wondering if any of you could share your luck with UD's financial aid. I know it's kind of random because it's mostly by department (and I think my major's department doesn't have much financial aid available), but any insight into what to expect would be extremely helpful in calming my nerves!</p>

<p>Here are my stats:
In-state
EFC: 6069
Need (as revealed by a state scholarship website): 16059
Overall GPA: 3.539
Major GPA: 3.857
Class: Senior</p>

<p>Would I get any merit based aid for this? Need based?</p>

2

<p>I got my financial package. I got $3000 merit, and $7500 Stafford loans ($5,500 subsidized).</p>

<p>I am confused because I did not receive any need-based aid, and I thought they cover full need for Delawareans? This leaves about $5,500 in need.</p>

<p>How can I go about appealing to the financial aid office? Is it worth it, or should I be happy with this package? </p>

<p>For what its worth, this is the exact same package I received last year when I had need of $0. I kind of feel like they didn’t even review my financial aid for this year…</p>

3

<p>Tuition and fees for Delaware residents for 2010-2011 is $10,208. The total amount you received would cover this. When you say you want to live on-campus your Sr. year do you mean in a Delaware dorm or just an apartment on campus? Did you let Financial Aid know of your interest in doing this once you completed your Jr. year? Perhaps they just assumed that you would still be commuting from home. I would at least contact them and see what they say. While Delaware’s “Committment to Delawarians” probably covers tuition and fees I do not know if this also would pertain to room and board. Financial Aid should be able to answer this. Good luck to you in your Sr. year.</p>

4

<p>I applied for and received on-campus housing (in a dorm). The amount billed to my student account reflects this. I read somewhere that “Commitment to Delawareans” covers room, board, tuition, fees, and allotment for books/personal expenses (this year, I think the estimation for that is $22k). However, that may only be for Class of 2013 onwards. If so, I’m out of luck I guess :(</p>

<p>I will go to the Financial Aid office today and see what they have to say. Thanks for your help!</p>