Vent-DD got college financial aid summary

[punkin]

Yeah, I have a 10th grader and I am scared already. I filled out some FAFSA-type calculator and out contribution came out about $40K per year.

Sure, I can afford that if we don't eat. Our mortgage payment is huge but no one takes that into account.

 

[neatokimmo]

Anyone can get a student loan, the loan is not based on need. Grants are. OP, call your student loan office and talk to them about it.

There is an additional bonus when you get your AA first. When you need to work part time to complete your BA, you'll make more per hour. I got my "real" job off a AA but completed my BA because my Dad wanted me to (I could of cared less lol)

You cannot just apply for those loans - you have to qualify for them via the FAFSA.......

They tell you what you can and cannot have.....bless their hearts....sorry, bless the computer's hard drive.....

 

[lucigo]

When I first filled out the forms we were told we were ineligible, but we went into the financial aid office to see what they had, and he refigured it for us and it turned out she was eligible for aid. We have a very complicated income with social security, VA disability, all kinds of weird stuff so I don't even know if HE did it right but he is the expert so whatever works. I just filled out this years and I'm hoping they are going to be able to make it right again for me this year! Anyway, what I'm saying is, go talk to financial aid, they know what they are doing!

 

[dis-happy]

College can be expensive, but do what you have to do to make it affordable. Community college credits are certainly worth a long consideration. Also, is she taking AP classes or are there some CLEP courses she can test out of? That will save on the total bill if she can get credit. My friend's dd took dual-enrollment classes at community college (high school credit and college credit at the same time), then transferred to Chapel Hill as a sophomore plus. That saved her family a lot of money.

Also, I checked the link someone posted and most of the full-time in state tuition costs are $5-6k per year. It seems like it would be affordable if she lived at home instead of on-campus.

Finally, I think you can the Hope credit on your taxes next year...$2500. Not sure of all the details (my dd is a freshman and we haven't done our taxes yet) but that will help too.

When I went to college I worked on campus one year. Not only did it pay my bills, but since I was a state employee I didn't have to pay state taxes, so more money in my pocket. This was in CA, not sure if PA is the same.

 

[APB513]

I'm a single mother of two. My oldest wanted to go to a school in IL that costs about $30,000 a year. He was conditionally accepted and was not able to go last fall. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

He is in his second semester at the Community College. I wish he would do another year at the CC and then transfer but he has his heart set on going to the school in IL in the fall. FAFSA said my contribution was something ridiculous. There is NO way I can afford to pay for him to go college. As it is, I'm taking out loans to cover my Grad school expenses.

 

[chris1gill]

Things might have changed since I was in college, but ALWAYS contact the financial aid people at the college that has been chosen. Each year I sas rejected for financial aid entirely, and each year my mom sent a letter of explanation to the aid office, and soon after that the offers (mainly loans, a few grants, lots of work study) were available to me.

This is exactly what I did, except I, the student wrote the letter & my aid was always increased to some degree.

The next option is to apply to private schools that might actually offer you a better aid package and thus a lower price per year.... The last option is for your DD to take out loans to pay the balance. I came out of school owing 40 grand.

We've had that tuition payment for each of our kids already, so I do feel your pain and they weren't even in college yet... Now THAT I REALLY look forward too, NOT!

 

[disneyleslie]

okay for those of you talked with the financial aid - we are currently looking at a private college - they have already given ds an academic scholarship - he is also trying to get in jazz band for more money - is it possible they would give more of an academic scholarship or would they pull it from somewhere else? It would be great to get it down a bit more.

Leslie

 

[madge]

The next option is to apply to private schools that might actually offer you a better aid package and thus a lower price per year....

That's what happened with us. My DS started out choosing between 4 schools, 2 state universities and 2 private schools. Once we did our FAFSA and saw that our EFC = the cost of state tuition, we held our breath to see what the private schools packages included. Our EFC number is higher than I'd like, but it's not completely unmanageable (thank God) and it's considerably lower than the tuition at the private schools. My DS was awarded a nice merit scholarship at each school and that, combined with grants, work study, and a small loan (that we might not even take this year) has kept our costs lower than the state schools on his list. Go figure.

I went into the Financial Aid process with little to no understanding of how the process works. It's quite overwhelming.

 

[dznyacct]

Although we haven't received the official financial aid packet from Purdue, I know that we won't get squat!! DS is #3 in his class with a GPA of 4.0877. He has an inept guidance counselor who did not provide information in regards to SAT scores and a FULL tuition scholarship to Purdue . He is not terrific at standardized tests, so I talked with her about SAT prep. He took the test once and she said his scores were "fine". If they had been ~ 40 points higher, he would have received an AUTOMATIC $7,000/year for 4 years, scholarship from Purdue . I know that I should have done more research, but silly me, I thought it was her job to communicate this type of info to students/parents. It's not like DS's class is huge (~ 60 students) and she can't keep track of everyone. I think our FASFA EFC was ~$22,000. That's fine if we don't eat and cut our house size by ~ 75%! We have applied for over 20 scholarships and so far nothing. I am the "information organizer" and DS gets everything together along with the numerous essays. I'm really getting burned out and frustrated by the rejection . We have a few more to do after Spring Break, but all I want to think about for the next few weeks is ºoº!!

Thank goodness DS likes us and plans on living at home (we're only ~ 10 minutes from campus). Sadly, I am losing my job at the end of the year (after 22 years) so I have to begin job hunting, anticipating a pay decrease to boot. It's kind of pathetic.....I pray every night and the last thing I pray for is for some of the scholarships to come through. We'll be OK, I'm sure, it's just so sad that DS has worked soooooo hard for so many years and is penalized because we make too much $$.

 

[phragmipedium]

Well, I wrote a huge long post but then I felt silly. I used to be a financial aid counselor until this past August, so if you have any questions, feel free to pm me.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

Although we haven't received the official financial aid packet from Purdue, I know that we won't get squat!! DS is #3 in his class with a GPA of 4.0877. He has an inept guidance counselor who did not provide information in regards to SAT scores and a FULL tuition scholarship to Purdue . He is not terrific at standardized tests, so I talked with her about SAT prep. He took the test once and she said his scores were "fine". If they had been ~ 40 points higher, he would have received an AUTOMATIC $7,000/year for 4 years, scholarship from Purdue . I know that I should have done more research, but silly me, I thought it was her job to communicate this type of info to students/parents. It's not like DS's class is huge (~ 60 students) and she can't keep track of everyone. I think our FASFA EFC was ~$22,000. That's fine if we don't eat and cut our house size by ~ 75%! We have applied for over 20 scholarships and so far nothing. I am the "information organizer" and DS gets everything together along with the numerous essays. I'm really getting burned out and frustrated by the rejection . We have a few more to do after Spring Break, but all I want to think about for the next few weeks is ºoº!!

Thank goodness DS likes us and plans on living at home (we're only ~ 10 minutes from campus). Sadly, I am losing my job at the end of the year (after 22 years) so I have to begin job hunting, anticipating a pay decrease to boot. It's kind of pathetic.....I pray every night and the last thing I pray for is for some of the scholarships to come through. We'll be OK, I'm sure, it's just so sad that DS has worked soooooo hard for so many years and is penalized because we make too much $$.

The SATs can be retaken and the combination of the highest scores from both tests is used to calculate total score. Call Purdue (or even better, go there physically because you are only 10 minutes away) and explain the situation to the FA office (or whomever is in charge of the SAT scholarship). I'd actually make an appt. to do this face-to-face, since it's harder to dismiss someone's concerns in person. Ask them to allow your DS to retake the test and resubmit his scores. Emphasize that Purdue is his top choice, but that it is financially out-of-reach for you w/o this scholarship that he WILL easily qualify for when he retakes the SAT. Explain that the guidance counselor gave you bad advice about having DS retake the SAT. Keep going up the ladder until you find SOMEONE who will listen to you, and then have them verify the info in writing. Your DS can make up 40 points at the next SAT sitting, even if you have to send him to an SAT prep course to learn the tricks.

I went to the FA office at my school to argue for more aid for myself and my sister (she was also accepted). Her offer was raised by over 10K/year because I got the FA officer to really look at certain things that they had automatically put in the formula. My sister then got the offer matched by the FA office at the school that she really wanted to attend. She and my mother physically went to that FA office as well. Going in face to face helps.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

Well, I wrote a huge long post but then I felt silly. I used to be a financial aid counselor until this past August, so if you have any questions, feel free to pm me.

Why did you feel silly? I guarantee you that everyone on here would want to hear what a former financial aid officer has to say about this topic!

 

[punkin]

Well, I wrote a huge long post but then I felt silly. I used to be a financial aid counselor until this past August, so if you have any questions, feel free to pm me.

Don't feel silly. Post away. I for one, am dying to know your perspective.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Schools have to have money to function. It isn't their job to finance your child or my child's education.

My suggestion is to find a college you can afford.

 

[Joan S.]

Things might have changed since I was in college, but ALWAYS contact the financial aid people at the college that has been chosen. Each year I sas rejected for financial aid entirely, and each year my mom sent a letter of explanation to the aid office, and soon after that the offers (mainly loans, a few grants, lots of work study) were available to me.

Hi, From personal experience with my DS at BU definitely CONTACT the financial aid at the college. Call and write!! Good luck! Joan

 

[LisaNJ25]

This is what I'm doing.

She may not want to do this, but at that high of a cost, it's honestly a better idea.

Remember, her future jobs will only care that she got a BA or BS from the 4-year college and not worry where she got her AA from.

yep.. My sister did the same thing and my other sister who is graduating HS this year is also planning on doing the same thing.

For most its the only way to afford college these days. I will encourage my kids to do the same thing also.

 

[WendyZ]

Don't worry you're not alone....DD first aid package came on Saturday. I can't help but wonder what the **** these colleges are thinking. First of all our FAFSA said we could afford over $22,000 a year for college! Ummm...WRONG!!!! No one sent a letter telling me where this money is. I certainly have no clue.
Then, her package came from schoool #1...they offered her a $7500 scholarship and a $3500 LOAN. Now a year of school is approx. $25,000. The rest of it is up to us b/c according the wonferdul FAFSA we can afford the above amount. With that being said, school #1 isn't her first choice, so that's good. We knew it was probably out of the question, but it doesn't hurt to look. School #2 is her first choice and it's much more reasonable, thank goodness. Plus they have offered her one scholarship with the possiblity of more, we're waiting to hear from them in regards to this.
I knew we wouldn't get any help so none of this is a surprise to me. I told DD a long time ago when it came to college we would be on our own. So our FAFSA was no surprise, in fact DD and I both laughed when the sent us the amount. It's just to bad for the people who believe that to be the gospel truth, that if someone says they have x amount of dollars for this...they think they do. Then end up in enormous debt, taking out loans etc. That's so sad....they'll never get going in life with all that debt. So yes another venter here as well...DD is our first for college. Needless to say I am learning alot this year.

 

[dvcnewgirl]

I had the same situation I wanted to go to a private school, they offered me a 500.00 LOAN! The rest was to be paid in CASH! So I ended up going to a state school. Anyway we hope to do prepaid college for my children it is only around 90,000 for the 2 of them . Hey where did I put my checkbook?? That is why I say hope.. I am glad they are 4 and 1 I have a little while to try to find the $$..

 

[kimsuenew]

I would have LOVED to go to a well known, highly revered, private local university (within 30 miles of my home) but could not afford it and had to choose the much lower priced state university (not even the main campus, a branch) nearby, at a mere fraction of the cost. I still have had to take many student loans out and will have a huge debt in the end, but it will be worth it!

If you cannot afford to pay for the college of their choice then your child has three choices:
1. Take out private student loans for his/her college of choice.
OR
2. Go to a local state college, a cheaper branch, or something of that genre.
OR
3. Not attend college until after the parents accountability is over (I think the age cut-off is 23). I know this option stinks, but it may be the only option if their heart is set on the expensive college and it cannot be financed.

It is very expensive, and yes the FAFSA does take parents income into account. If he/she was married, it takes the spouses in, even though they may not contribute to the cost. That is FAFSA simply the rules.

 

[bear_mom]

You cannot just apply for those loans - you have to qualify for them via the FAFSA.......

They tell you what you can and cannot have.....bless their hearts....sorry, bless the computer's hard drive.....

You can, I do. I am going back to school and according to the FAFSA dh makes way too much money for me to qualify for any kind of aid. So I applied for loans and was granted them. No questions asked.

Emily