Financial Aid

esmitty01 · 04-11-2008, 04:07 PM

got a letter today, says "this is the package we have prepared for you as of this dat" or something to that matter.

NO merit, NO need-based, just some crap 1200 grant based upon my community service (to top it off, i have to do 20 hrs of community service a semester to get it)

Is this all i get? 1200? my efc is 6000. Surely they are not gapping me over 20k? If so im about to withdraw my acceptance

expatengr · 04-12-2008, 10:24 AM

Understand. You got more than my D. All we got was the offer for an 'unsubsidized' stafford loan. However, to be fair, our efc is higher.

Intheknow · 04-12-2008, 11:22 AM

I've seen this generation of college students get to the point that ANY burden on them (financial, having to actually work for an A, not having parking right outside their dorm) seems to be some form of litigable assault. My school offered me scholarships that covered about 1/3 of the costs -- and I got LOANS for the rest. So did my siblings. These still exist and very low rates. A school is not obligated to give any admitted candidated ANY money -- and in a state like SC, where the legislature gives less and less money to higher ed, and at a school like Clemson that does not have a HUGE foundation (resulting in a smaller scholarship account), getting ANY money in any form (work study, comm svc grants, etc. -- and how DARE a school like Clemson, one that was founded upon service to the community, find a creative way in funding a student's study by asking they use a SMALL FRACTION of their time towards serving the community!?!?!) is a blessing. If not having full funding turns off anyone to a school, I would think that's a sign to go elsewhere.

bostonbred · 04-12-2008, 02:11 PM

expatengr, when did you hear about the unsubsidized stafford? We still haven't heard a word and are at least expecting that much.

expatengr · 04-12-2008, 08:36 PM

bostonbred...... we got the letter a couple of days ago. We live in SC so that may be the reason we got it early. I was really hoping for something more since my D did receive a couple of merit scholarships from the other state flagship and quite a bit from a respected private LAC. I really wanted her to go to Clemson since I myself am an alumni. Guess it will come down to how much debt is Clemson worth versus the other schools. My D and I will be discussing this really soon.

Mitch_L · 04-12-2008, 09:13 PM

I would call the school and see if they can help you out. They should be willing to go over your financial aid information one more time to ensure they have prepared the package best for them.

My only other advice is that if Clemson is really where you want to be, then try to find a way to be here. If another school is cheaper and just as good in your eyes, you should go there. However, don't go somewhere just because of financial reasons unless you cannot afford (with loans) to come to Clemson. I have friends who settled, and they now wish they hadn't. Two weeks ago when my friend from Kentucky came down he said, "why didn't I come here or somewhere like it, I like UK and it's cheap, but this is much better."

bostonbred · 04-13-2008, 08:50 AM

Thanks expatengr. We live in GA, so hopefully we will know in the next day or two. We told our D a couple of weeks ago that she could go to Clemson regardless of how it works out financially. She got into all of the colleges she applied to and Clemson will be significantly more expensive between OOS and lack of merit money. We all agree though that she will get a great education and the culture suits her well. We've visited twice and went to the accepted students reception in Atlanta, each time getting the warm and fuzzy feeling that this is the place for her. Being an alum I'm sure you know what I am talking about. Good luck with your decision.

bostonbred · 04-19-2008, 07:11 AM

Anyone know whether the rest of the merit aid that was supposed to go out by mid-April has yet? Also, we are still waiting to hear from Clemson that we are eligible for the unsubsidized Stafford. I'm sure we are, since all of D's other schools sent us letters about that quite awhile ago. I e-mailed FA this past week to ask, but no response yet on either question.

bostonbred · 04-22-2008, 05:34 PM

I finally called FA today after no e-mail response. I was told that the merit aid that was supposed to have been disbursed by now is still going out. Also there are letters for unsubsidized Staffords going out this week.