USC Fin. aid! question from a middle (high?) income family

thewu · 04-04-2008, 09:18 PM

Hi guys,

We are slightly late on taxes as of now (my tax forms are in, my parents will be by april 10), and are worried about aid at USC.

We would probably need around $9k in aid or I would go to my safety school. I mean, my safety is cool.. but this is USC and would be awesome if I can come here.

Our EFC is 39k and income is 100k. Would $9k be likely if our forms are in by next week? Can anyone with a similar income or EFC say what their aid award was?

(The reason I'm asking right now is because I have to file housing, and those initial deposits are a nasty lump of money.)

Columbia_Student · 04-04-2008, 09:27 PM

You only loose $30 if you sign up for housing. It was in the housing brochure, not the deposit which is $300.

thewu · 04-04-2008, 09:46 PM

haha i didn't mean at USC. other colleges ask for initial deposits (up to $500) in order to secure a spot in housing.

GroovyGeek · 04-05-2008, 12:59 PM

The lump sums for housing are high but almost always refundable. Many schools have separate deposits for housing and commitment, check into it.

You need to spank your parents for procrastinating on their taxes. Make sure they don't do it next year, it jeopardizes your best bet to get the best possible FA.

thewu · 04-05-2008, 03:30 PM

ahh ok. thanks for the response. I have hope!

also, I found this link for deadlines:
http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/dates.html

I guess we're a month late, but it says

Quote:

New Undergraduate Parent and Student 2007 Federal Tax Returns priority filing date – please submit documents as soon as possible. As an incoming freshman, your aid will not be affected.

does this mean my aid package won't change even if my 2007 forms are late?

thanks.

Lori1122 · 04-05-2008, 03:37 PM

yes.. there are no deadline for when you need that stuff in.. you just might get your aid letter later than the rest of us

sunshadow · 04-05-2008, 03:38 PM

SIgh...I'm in the same boat. And sometimes it's not the parents who need to be spanked, it's their accountants who handle all of their business taxes and don't seem to grasp the need to get it all done in January.

Meresa · 04-05-2008, 11:55 PM

My family's income is 100K and our EFC is 25K. For my financial package, I got

Scholarship $4000
Grant $17338
Stafford Loan: subsidized $1200
Stafford Loan: unsubsidized $2500
Federal Work-Study: $2500

the08er · 04-08-2008, 07:56 PM

Meresa! You just gave me hope! I'm nearly in the same boat as you!!

hawaiiboy15 · 04-08-2008, 09:05 PM

they give that much aid for 100k?

Lori1122 · 04-08-2008, 09:27 PM

seriously?? wow

thewu · 04-18-2008, 12:11 PM

Hi, update on my financial status.

Cost of attendance: 52k
Subsidized Stafford Loans: 3.5k

No work study, grants, or scholarships. I'm quite disappointed... is there a chance that, if I appeal, I may get 10k in money? =/ My next cheapest option is University of Washington at 35k.

Thanks for the help, guys.

RijeosXeper · 04-23-2008, 04:25 PM

Meresa: that's a HELLUVA package for such a high EFC IMO, congrats... My EFC is around 8-9k, so hopefully I will get a good package as well... Are you a transfer or incoming freshman ?

I'm just wondering if they give out similar amount of aid to freshmen students and transfer students though, or if transfers can expect a lower amount of FA... I'm a transfer student..