supergrover911

Hey guys,
Last week I was notified that I received a $2000/yr scholarship. According to the financial aid website, outside scholarships first reduce work-study. My work-study is $2900. With the scholarship, it would be reduced to $900. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but apparently work-study is like pocket money; my paychecks would go directly to me, and they wouldn't be taken into consideration for FASFA next year. Wouldn't it be better to take the work study? (Throughout my junior and senior years of high school I've worked ~15 hours a week, so I'm used to working..)

lefthandofdog

Ask the financial aid office, but I don't think it makes sense to turn down an outside scholarship.

You would only receive the WS money for hours worked. If a bout of strep throat or heavy academic workload forced to cut back, you're out the cash. Just because your WS is reduced to $900 doesn't mean you can't find other on campus employment. Not all campus jobs are WS.

Princeton's policy of reducing WS first is generous. Many schools would reduce the outright grant (or loan) first.

Consider, too, that the adjustment to college life might make it hard to maintain a work schedule that was doable in HS. The hours you would have worked can be spent exploring extra curruculars. I think you're right that WS is money in your pocket, so you'd probably have to workmthat out with your family or use summer savings for that.

apple10

Princeton reduce your term job and summer saving expectation by the amount of the award if you have outside scholarship, which means you don't have to do study work. But you still can do the study work to earn the money if you want to do it. There are a lot job opportunities for students on campus.

If your total outside award is more than the total your term-time job and summer saving expectation, Princeton allow you to use the left amount of award to buy a personal computer (up to $3000).

So don't turndown outside scholarships.

supergrover911

I called called the financial aid office today and she basically confirmed what I already know. I'm leaning toward turning down the scholarship. It really would serve no purpose. I'd like more opinions, though

tiger14

Is the scholarship renewable? If not, you may want to accept the scholarship and put the money from your campus job towards next year's tuition, or a summer program of some sort, etc. Just a thought. Many jobs on campus are non-work study and you shouldn't have an issue finding a job.

Also you can put the money towards a laptop. Ask finaid about it -- basically instead of decreasing your work-study they'll apply the scholarship to a receipt for a new computer.

stlkarategal

It makes no sense to turn down the scholarship. The scholarship will reduce the amount of money you owe princeton. Work-study does pay you directly, but if you don't use it to pay your bill to princeton, then your parents will have to pay that amount over their expected contribution.

With the scholarship, you can reduce the amount of money you owe princeton, and you'll still be able to get a job for spending money.

supergrover911

@tiger, yes, the scholarship is $2000 a year. You can't use the scholarship for a laptop unless it's more than the work-study+summer contribution. I'm low-income (family contribution is $500), so I don't have tuition to pay.
Mm, my mother has given me similar advice, so I guess I will take the scholarship. lol, I guess it does sound dumb thinking about turning down a scholarship