Is it just me, or are you frustrated too?

[madville]

Disclaimer: I submitted this in the FA forum as well.


Throughout this whole application process, one of my biggest pet peeves is the reluctance of the admission and financial aid office to make information regarding admission and financial aid transparent and accessible to all interested parties. i.e. PARENTS. While the primary focus should be and is on the student, it irks me to no end that for me to find out any information regarding my child's status, I've got to go through the child. Yet i'm required to disclose all my information to the adcoms, just short of my blood type and DNA composition! When there is more financial info that is needed, documents missing, signatures required, verification forms etc, I'm the last to know. I could just insist the DS gives me all the passwords and links but this process is at the insistance of the colleges and universities. College is a family decision for most and since colleges may consider them adults, but not independent till they're 24 years old or some other off the wall situation, it appears to be a double standard. I'm not a control freak, but this is a very involved and complex process, and for most young adults and parents, can be easily overwhelming.


While visiting one of the colleges, the FA reps were unavailble all afternoon. Several days earlier we had sent info regarding a FA review. Well a choice could have been made based on financial considerations, but the ONE ADULT on this side of the equation isn't privy to the decision or information in a timely manner. Color me P**ed off!

Am I being ureasonable? Is there something amiss about this process? If this has been addressed ad naseum, please forgive the duplication.

[NorthEastMom2]

I agree, it is kind of ludicrous to say the child is applying for FinAid. I know some kids are filling out the forms, but I think the reality in most families is that the parents are doing all the paperwork, and negotiating, and are taking financial responsibility.

But is your issue with the school or with your child ? My d knows to text me or forward email whenever anything comes up that will involve our input. I told her that if she cannot take that basic responsibility then she is not ready to go off to school - and that some deadlines are hard - it's not like high school where there's (almost) always a 2nd chance.

[kitkat82]

Very frustrated. We never heard from one of my son's schools with respect to our FA appeal. Allegedly they told son's father - but the FATHER was part of the reason for the appeal. They never replied to my son or myself. School ended up being a no-go for that very reason.

[gladmom]

kitkat: I can hardly believe they didn't respond to you when you were the one making the appeal. How irresponsible of that school!

I agree that parents should be squarely in the information loop for financial matters. At my S's school, to be considered independent and be considered for FA, you have to be 25. Otherwise they, of course, require consideration of the parents income and assets.

[momof3teens]

yeah this really irks me too because of course they know where to send the bills to make sure they get the money!!!

[jude_36]

My D's school actually had her fill in the name and address of where to send bills. I did think that was appropriate.

[madville]

Well, finally got the info, but no time to negotiate further, the choice has been made. Discrepancies of about $2500 dollars, but it's only money. Familly Dollar and Big Lots having close out sales on Ramen Noodles We'll make it, lol!

[binx]

We overpaid a bit on the bursar bill. Got the refund check right here for $115 and change. Mailed to our home address. Check made out to D. Who is in Ohio (where the check came from). We are not.

Could they not have either mailed it to her, or made it out to us?

[ohio_mom]

Yikes, binx, send your D the check and don't tempt the FA deities ...

[Lafalum84]

Ooooh, no, don't send your D the check! Semester is almost over, she'll be home soon. Hold that check, have her endorse it TO YOU and deposit it. If you are the ones who overpaid, then it's YOUR refund regardless of whose name is on the check.

[kitkat82]

Older son's school does the same thing - refunds the kid not the parents. My DS already knows that is so not his money!

[paying3tuitions]

FA refunds? What is that, a stimulus check?

[calmom]

Actually, I never had any difficulties getting financial aid people to talk to me at my kids' schools -- so I'm kind of surprised to hear it was a problem.

[epiphany]

I'm with calmom. Never had any trouble, publics or privates, with such disclosures. Maybe we got lucky. If the student is still listed as a dependent for income tax filing purposes, this should be a no-brainer. The parent is really the principal "filer" for financial aid, as it's based mainly on the parents' information (sources of income, + family expenses paid by parents). Technically the student 'files" on own behalf, as the recipient, but the practical realities dictate that the parent should be in the driver's seat on this. Madville, I'd be frustrated too, & it probably would have meant that college being eliminated from our list. Four years of that? Don't think so.

[oregon101]

just know that if your kid has a local bank--just deposit the check -they will take it as long as it is not a money back deal