College tuition question

[Hannathy]

That depends on the school I graduated valedictorian and I didn't have perfect grades... they were just better then everyone else I graduated with.

As for putting in alot of effort the last year. Well since neither myself or the two below me put in a lot of effort any of the four years (we were all just the lucky ones that this school stuff came easy too I didn't work at it until college) so had either the 2nd or 3rd place person put in a lot of effort senior year they would have passed me.

Wow I can't imagine that! And I wonder about the size and quality of the program.

Heck around here a B in freshman gym can send you out of the running for top 10 let alone Valedictorian.


To the OP all those expenses were known expenses, so it should have been planned.

If he truly can't afford a lap top then take his desk top one. He doesn't need a printer probably, most schools have printers, the only thing he truly needs to live in a dorm that he doesn't have at home may be extra long sheets and he could babysit an evening to make enough to pay for those. Everything else is a nicety when you come down to it. (oh and an extension cord to plug the computer in with) Including the saxophone.

 

[okeydokey]

Even kids who get grants and scholarships have to put forth something on their own for college. He can take out a loan like many many others do. He can get a job like many others do. What he can't do is expect that everything he wants will be miraculously handed to him because his Mom asked for it.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

yes, it's the way it works. why? because after you completed the FAFSA, they calculated your family's EFC (expected family contribution).

Once your child earned more scholarships, that EFC number changed. Thus so did your financial aid.

Sorry but that's the way it works. Every financial aid book I've read has pointed that out.

But be proud -- sounds like your child is on the right track!

 

[duffy]

Why doesn't your son have a job?

 

[dhardawa]

The correct word is for naught its an old Elizabeathan term meaning "without fruitation"

But if the scolarship money was a complete surprise-how were these things going to be purchased otherwise?

My son -a good 10 years ago when computers were much more expensive, had a requirement for his major to have an upgraded one with special drawing programs on it-cost alot-and he had full tuition scholarship. best $$ we ever spent-he now has a fabulous job directly related to that darn expensive computer

Since we're correcting each other. I'd just like to point out that the words are "a lot".

 

[duffy]

Since we're correcting each other. I'd just like to point out that the words are "a lot".

The Alot is Better Than You at Everything

 

[Green Tea]

My son knew upfront that scholarships that would be sent to the school were of no benefit to his wallet, so he only did the essays and competitions that paid directly to him.

I think private schools likely would have put the outside scholarships to loans before grants from the college, so I am guessing he is attending a large state school?

 

[phorsenuf]

Sounds like he'll have to do what so any college students have to do and that's pad their loans to cover the expenses. Yes, it sucks, and yes it's not the best way to do it, but it is what it is.

As for the sax, that part I don't get. My son was heavily involved with band and I can't imagine why your son wouldn't have his own instrument at this point. Not to mention you have to try out and get accepted into a marching band program at the college level. It's not something he can just decide he wants to do. I would assume those auditions must be coming up soon.

 

[ssawka]

So, because your son worked hard and did what he was suppose to do (i.e. study) you think he deserves to have a free ride with extras? You realize that any of the grant money taken away will go to support another student just like your son that studied and got good grades. Now to get on my soap box, we as a society need to learn to share instead of having this "Mine, mine, mine!" attitude.

 

[clutter]

Wow I can't imagine that! And I wonder about the size and quality of the program.

Heck around here a B in freshman gym can send you out of the running for top 10 let alone Valedictorian.

Around here, since we have + and -, you could be out of the top 10% (20%?) by getting an A-!!!! Scary stuff.

And I remember going to college and watching a bunch of girls that were class valedictorian barely pass first semester of college, when it was all a repeat for me (top 1/3).

 

[RitaE]

Really, who keeps sending her money?

 

[crashbb]

What's funny is that a spambot bumped up one of her old threads about needing Christmas lights.

 

[Alesia]

That depends on the school I graduated valedictorian and I didn't have perfect grades... they were just better then everyone else I graduated with.

As for putting in alot of effort the last year. Well since neither myself or the two below me put in a lot of effort any of the four years (we were all just the lucky ones that this school stuff came easy too I didn't work at it until college) so had either the 2nd or 3rd place person put in a lot of effort senior year they would have passed me.

That really surprises me. I went to a small high school in a tiny little podunk town in Indiana and we had 7 valedictorians, all of whom had 4.0 GPAs. There were also 3 or 4 salutatorians who had 3.99 GPAs. If any of them would have slacked off just a little, they wouldn't have made it. It honestly never occurred to me that there would be a high school where no one in the entire class had a perfect record.

 

[angierae]

The scary thing is that posts like this must work, because why would you keep posting when the first thing you're going to get is five pages of people telling you you're full of crap?

 

[branv]

I'm confused -- are you talking about Pell grants? Pell grants are awarded based totally upon financial need. They are not grade-based (though keeping them does rely upon maintaining satisfactory progress), so he would have received those grants whether he was a valedictorian or a C-student.

You seem to be using scholarships and grants interchangeably. Though sometimes the term is blurred, they can also be quite different. Did he receive both types, or just one?

Frankly, I find it a little stunning that you would discount his effort and achievement simply because he now isn't getting completely extraneous things for free. Really...the lack of free shoes, sax is worth getting dramatic over when it still sounds like his tuition is covered? I'm sensing a serious disconnect from reality here, either on purpose to achieve something or simply due to lack of knowledge. As his parent, shouldn't you already have been aware that needs-based awards are dependent on...well..need? It's financial-aid 101 that if your finances/assistance increase, your needs-based assistance is reduced. And unless he's shoeless (which is a whole other conversation), nothing on your list is a need. Food, housing, and in this case, tuition/book costs are needs for which these funds should go first. If your son was expecting so much that he could pay for those extras, I think the system is working if his grant is reduced so that another student with basic needs receives help.

All of this could have been avoided had you utilized the ample number of resources out there to educate both of you on financial aid. In fact, if you really are as worried as you state, you should start now -- these "guaranteed for four years" scholarships/grants are almost never without stipulations (and frankly, that doesn't sound right either. For instance, if these are Pell Grants, they must be applied for every year). He should understand if these require him to carry a certain GPA, not drop too many classes, carry a certain number of credits and prove financial need every year. Both of you, or at least your son, need to sit down with the college's financial aid counselor ASAP before this gets worse.

This story is so full of holes, none of it scans. I smell a fishing expedition. At best, you have been woefully out-of-touch and unprepared. All of this is at you and your son's feet, not the people or institutions who have been so kind and generous as to fund his education. You should take a long look in the mirror, and learn how to be grateful. However, I'm mostly writing this in case another parent/student is reading this thread. So many people are unaware about the financial aid process, including rules regarding keeping aid and paying it back, that hopefully it will inspire them to start researching NOW. Trust me, it can save you a lot of shock and heartache.

 

[AndreaDM]

DS graduation this a few weeks ago. He has a great GPA. Did excellent on SAT. He is a AP Scholar with Distinction ( scoring 5 on 4 or more AP exams) and was top of the class.....Valedictorian and all
We are so proud of him.
This year he really put effort into his grades and it really paid off.

The good news is he was accpeted to his first choice college and recieved an awesome package full of grant/scholarships and a small loan. It is guaranteed for all 4 years. We completed the FASA stuff on time and it was calculated (because of our terrible financial situation) that he would be getting the grants.

Now at Graduation it was a total surprise to us, he earn 3 scholarships. A smaller one time one of $200 ish, a National Honor Society on of $500 and an awesome one......$3,000 for all 4 years!!!

Now come the kicker: He must disclose to the school all scholarship monies earned. No problem. However now they are going to re-work (into a set program) his new numbers and the amount of the grants will be reduced thus leaving us having to get a small loan.

Bascially, all the hard work, essays, interviews, etc to earn the scholarships was for not because they are just going to take away funding. We were hoping to use the scholarship money to purchase a required lap top and a saxaphone, as he plans to do marching band. We were hoping to use some of the money to purchase new sneakers, a printer, and possible some much need dorm stuff.
WELL, that is NOT going to happen because they are reducing any grand money.

Is this common? I do not want to appear to be ungrateul at all, but after stuggling finanacially for so long, it looking like college was going to be an great moment in his life.

If anyone has any insight please do pass along.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

DS graduation this a few weeks ago. He has a great GPA. Did excellent on SAT. He is a AP Scholar with Distinction ( scoring 5 on 4 or more AP exams) and was top of the class.....Valedictorian and all
We are so proud of him.
This year he really put effort into his grades and it really paid off.

The good news is he was accpeted to his first choice college and recieved an awesome package full of grant/scholarships and a small loan. It is guaranteed for all 4 years. We completed the FASA stuff on time and it was calculated (because of our terrible financial situation) that he would be getting the grants.

Now at Graduation it was a total surprise to us, he earn 3 scholarships. A smaller one time one of $200 ish, a National Honor Society on of $500 and an awesome one......$3,000 for all 4 years!!!

Now come the kicker: He must disclose to the school all scholarship monies earned. No problem. However now they are going to re-work (into a set program) his new numbers and the amount of the grants will be reduced thus leaving us having to get a small loan.

Bascially, all the hard work, essays, interviews, etc to earn the scholarships was for not because they are just going to take away funding. We were hoping to use the scholarship money to purchase a required lap top and a saxaphone, as he plans to do marching band. We were hoping to use some of the money to purchase new sneakers, a printer, and possible some much need dorm stuff.
WELL, that is NOT going to happen because they are reducing any grand money.

Is this common? I do not want to appear to be ungrateul at all, but after stuggling finanacially for so long, it looking like college was going to be an great moment in his life.

If anyone has any insight please do pass along.
Thanks in advance.

Wow Mom. Way to make your son feel like crap. That amount of money does not take away his accomplishments. Sell your jewelry and or a vehicle if you can't come up with the money. He did his part, now it's your turn. And I also can't believe he didn't have a part time job and save for some money.

What you going to do if his books are over the amount of the small loan you took out? God forbid he has to add in insurance after 19 when the state no longer covers him (better look it up - it happens!!!)

And did anyone else notice the OP is missing? Wonder why?

 

[Alesia]

Wow Mom. Way to make your son feel like crap. That amount of money does not take away his accomplishments. Sell your jewelry and or a vehicle if you can't come up with the money. He did his part, now it's your turn. And I also can't believe he didn't have a part time job and save for some money.

What you going to do if his books are over the amount of the small loan you took out? God forbid he has to add in insurance after 19 when the state no longer covers him (better look it up - it happens!!!)

And did anyone else notice the OP is missing? Wonder why?

She does this all the time. She posts a "woe is me - we're so poor" song and dance and then sits back waiting for people to PM her asking if she has a paypal account.

 

[Metsfan520]

What's funny is that a spambot bumped up one of her old threads about needing Christmas lights.

I saw that!

 

[lastminutemom]

Actually this is very common and happens frequently to students who have high need and high stats and who receive outside scholarships. There is absolutely nothing wrong with your child taking out the Stafford (or Direct as they are called now) loan to get what he needs for school. Most experts believe that the Stafford is a reasonable amount of debt to assume for a college education.

Did his package already include loans?