Financial Aid. BEWARE.

Tim_ND08 · 06-19-2009, 10:57 PM

I am absolutely livid with the university right now and the financial aid department.

One of my friends has been forced out of USC.

His parents income has stayed exactly the same from last year and yet they are giving him 70% less than what he received last year.

He got only a small portion of loans and no grants.

I am appalled at how the university treats its returning students. He can no longer attend USC.

He turned down scholarships last year from other universities (higher ranked even) because USC told him that his financial aid would remain steady based on his parents income.

It is an absolute slap in the face. Just letting all the new frosh know that they shouldnt count on the financial aid packets that they received to be the same every year.

Its a little messed up. trojan family?.... didnt know thats how you treat family.

War Chant · 06-19-2009, 11:08 PM

I got nothing, just loans. Same as last year though, I was expecting it.

They said they were increasing financial aid, I was hoping a grant in any amount would appear.

The financial aid system needs an overhaul, its BS and the middle class gets screwed.

red1105 · 06-19-2009, 11:17 PM

=( this is a bit disconcerting for those of us who rely on financial aid

pinkie1105 · 06-20-2009, 12:22 AM

Oh man. Apparently many of the returning students are getting less/no financial aid this year. Does this happen every year??

furyshade · 06-20-2009, 01:03 AM

this happened to me too, i even applied for additional scholarships. i am hoping they haven't fully updated the packages yet as this is ridiculous.

Tim_ND08 · 06-20-2009, 01:10 AM

hahah oh man. now I just got my package.

this has got to be a mistake. i got nothing.

BRENTON8907 · 06-20-2009, 02:24 AM

Really are you guys serious?! I am so worried I have presidential, but I still got on top of that around 20k worth of grants. If they take those away from me as a sophomore through senior, there is no way I can pay for USC!!!!

I seriously hope you guys all get this sorted out

Hawkwings · 06-20-2009, 02:35 AM

I got my info today, and it was significantly lower than what I had last year. I'm pretty sure that this is just a preliminary "let's get some number out there" package though, stuff like grants and specific scholarships will be added later. Hopefully.

rdang · 06-20-2009, 03:05 AM

that's so shocking.

for the past 3 years, my financial aid has significantly increased (esp. in the form of grants). so it's weird to see so many people getting LESS aid... hopefully the packets are incomplete. because if not, that's just wrong.

dt123 · 06-20-2009, 08:17 AM

Our COA (Univ COA minus financial aid) is about the same next year as this year. The gross amount of aid was only a few hundred dollars less than last year, with the yearly financials on the FAFSA and Profile having changed about that same amount. So I did not perceive any change in USC's aid.

Unless you scrutinize someone's two years' worth of FAFSAs and Profiles with a magnifying glass to see exactly what is the same and what is different, it is impossible to conclude anything about an anecdote that "my aid is shockingly less this year."

2+2=5 · 06-20-2009, 11:20 AM

My financial aid package remained steady for the 4 years I attended USC. I graduated last month and I had no issues with the financial aid department while I attended, so it is weird to hear all of this.

alamemom · 06-20-2009, 12:28 PM

My D's second-year aid (just posted yesterday) is about the same as her first year aid. Actually she received slightly more, but the slight increase is offset by the increase in COA. As dt123 says, unless you know the complete picture - FAFSA, Profile, grades, etc... - of those posting "BEWARE," you cannot conclude anything about your individual situation.

The reduced package could be 1) an incomplete package - wait 2 or 3 days and re-check. For example, my D's was first posted under 2008-2009, with nothing on the 2009-2010 page, and the next day it was fixed. 2) If a family had two students in college the previous year and only one in the current year, that family's EFC will double for the remaining student. 3) There may have been changes in the family's financial picture that we know nothing about. Or 4) Some of the scholarships have grade requirements, and some state and federal aid require certain unit and passing grade minimums. Be sure you are a full-time student and you have met all GPA minumums as well as satisfactory progess requirements (completing a minimum number of units each year).

If none of the above applies to you and your aid was significantly reduced, a calm call or email to the financial aid office is your next step. Be sure to have details of last year's aid on hand for the discussion. Good luck.

furyshade · 06-20-2009, 04:36 PM

i got the paper copy of my financial aid today and it is actually what is on oasis. seems highly unlikely that they are going to add in university grant, i'm going to let myself cool down a bit then if i feel the same way look into transfer applications.

bessie · 06-20-2009, 05:54 PM

Hmmm... anyone still waiting for their FA from USC?

coollege · 06-20-2009, 07:47 PM

...I heard USC did this, but I thought it was just a myth.