Hahastupidme

i have an appointment set up w/ my financial aid counselor for this friday - this way i could personally sit w/ her and discuss everything.
besides laptop and insurance, what else should i ask her for? so r counselors willing to change ur FA letter if u ask them to?

Hamman

just a thought, the deadline to send the letter back is May 22nd. How long are you guys going to wait before submitting that?

azulgrana10

do gates scholars get a free laptop

Speak_Easy

I'm not sure if Gates works differently with different universities, but my school told me that Gates will cover my student contribution, health insurance, and laptop.

It will also cover a work study, but I don't have that as a first-year. My school also eliminated loans for most students.

And no, Gates scholars do not get a "free" laptop. It simply covers the cost of 1 laptop per 4 years of undergrad. There is also a price max. depending on the institution.

Hahastupidme

grrr...my counselor said that she can't add cost of a laptop to my personal expenses b/c she has to abide strictly by institutional policies and the cost of a laptop doesn't reflect the "entire student body" ... she said that if i could have a gates person talk to her, she will add the cost but otherwise no. what do you think i should do?

simone902008

call a gates person.

jabbawockeez

anyone know what laptop they're getting?
I wanna get the Macbook Pro 2008 edition? is this good?

ahhhhhhhhhh

well I just bought a macbook pro last month....I know there will be a new one coming out....but my financial aid officer told to me buy one asap....
oh btw...i love it.!!!!! amazing!!!

Hahastupidme

grrrr....my fin aid counselor won't add funds for a laptop on my FA. what should i do? anyone? please, i need help!

Speak_Easy

I don't know how different schools do it, but the cost of a laptop ISN'T being put on my FA. It's more like, I buy the laptop first. Submit the receipts to my school, and then they will contact GMS and I will be reimbursed.

Hahastupidme

speak_easy, so ur school will contact GMS once u get ur laptop?

Speak_Easy

I'm pretty sure that's how it works. Check with your school & GMS to make sure that they will honor your laptop purchase.

pearapple

can you only apply for gates as a senior?
do you have to have financial need? do you send in the fafsa or something for them to confirm?

swimcatsmom

You have to qualify for the Pell grant (EFC below 4042).

You cannot already be in college.

GA2012MOM

Speak easy, the way my D's school is doing it is that they are giving her an institutional loan to purchase one through them, and then the FA office can make the allowed once a year adjustment in the spring and they will submit that bill for the laptop at that time and they will be paid.