<p>So I come from an extremely low income family who has a lot of debt and I know that I can not ask my mom for any assistance in college. I’ve always known this so I’ve applied to a ton of national scholarships and was able to get $9,000 for my first year in college.</p>
<p>So I called USC, and they said that because my financial aid package is so generous none of my scholarship money is going to cover any of the loans I have to take, it will go directly to the grants. I immediately screamed because all that money I earned is just going to the school that is giving me free money anyway. I don’t understand, it’s like the same as if I didn’t receive any scholarships. I don’t even think my financial aid is that generous in terms of USC giving me aid, because it’s mostly Cal Grant, Pell Grant, and a Merit Scholarship that I earned.</p>
<p>For one year, I have to get 5.5k in loans and have a family contribution of about 4k. I need my scholarships to help me pay for this. Is the answer that I got today fully accurate? If so, then good riddance to USC because this is unfair. I am about to go homeless because we don’t have any money and they put me through this.</p>
<p>Yes, it is accurate. Outside scholarships are considered part of what you bring to the table and this reduces your need. Sometimes these outside scholarships can reduce work study or loans at certain schools and you can always ask if this is an option. Usually it will not be. </p>
<p>This is a common misconception that students and some parents are not prepared for and really should be taught by GC at school. Reading the financial aid thread stickied above would give you more information. This is talked about in the very first post. If you are full need, outside scholarships often do not really help at all and come off the grant portion of financial aid packages at most colleges. If you are full pay, they help a lot since they come off the sticker price.</p>
<p>It looks like you have the standard loan package and a small family contribution, which you could earn during the summer and school year (unless you also have a work study component during the school year-- and then you would need to come up with the 4k during the summer). Paying 9.5k for a 60k education next year sounds like a huge bargain which would be hard to beat even at a public school (can only imagine a CC would beat this). Many families are paying much closer to full price (or full price) after 20 years of saving and sacrificing.</p>
<p>You know I thought USC’s rule of thumb concerning coordinating outside scholarships with the package was that USC would first use those funds to lessen the standard loan first (my 5k). I don’t understand why the scholarships I rightfully won would not do that for me. Then I would only worry about the EFC which I can probably cover half with a summer job.</p>
<p>How many of those scholarships are paid directly to USC and, uh, how many are paid directly to you.</p>
<p>All to USC, unless I personally request them, which might work out actually.</p>
<p>The scholarships you earned are similar to a student who saved 9k working for 2 years at a minimum wage job and saved everything. Both are assets that offset financial need according to colleges. The student with savings would be expected to use this money. Why should a scholarship be treated any differently? </p>
<p>You should definitely appeal to see if the scholarships can offset loans. If this is denied, then you will need to decide if this is unacceptable to you.</p>
<p>Well I went to USC today and they said that it would generally lessen the loan. I don’t really know how this will work. I just want the whole 5.5 to be covered and then I can worry about covering the EFC. But I need to make a decision because May 1st is coming up.</p>
<p>Also, I have a full ride at UCLA for four years and I got accepted to UC Berkeley as well.
I’m leaning towards USC because I am undecided and I feel like it would be easier to double major. And I got into Thematic Options.</p>
<p>Still, I’m torn. I don’t know if I should give up a full ride. But then, where do all my scholarships go? Ugh.</p>
<p>Well as a parent I would say the full ride at UCLA seems like the obvious end to your stress. My daughter is going to USC (with some financial aid but not as generous as some I’ve seen) but believe me, if she had a full ride to UCLA (where she was also accepted), that is where she would be.</p>
<p>^ agree with Snowdog. Given your posted concerns, UCLA full ride is a great option for you as you would not need to worry about future loans. Would they give you financial aid for an additional semester or two if you can’t finish in 4 years (which you could possibly need for a double major there)?</p>
<p>Thanks for the parent like advice, I haven’t really got much. I know UCLA would be the best situation, but I am committed to working hard for USC, which includes getting a part time job (they did not give me work study). I don’t want to take 5 years at UCLA because of the possibility that I won’t finish on time because I am an ambitious student who doesn’t know what to study. I like the closer attention that USC gives and there’s the SOAR which is a great summer research opportunity, vital for like medical school admissions. I still do not know though 
Would you guys really take UCLA full ride even though you have all this scholarship money that can potentially pay for your education?</p>
<p>If you are considering med school, then I’d really advise one of your no debt choices even more highly. Med school will require huge loans so you really don’t want any UG debt if you can avoid it. If USC puts your outside scholarships towards your loan amounts and reduces them, then this could still be a good option. Are your outside scholarships renewable each year and would USC use this to offset your loans each year? </p>
<p>It sounds like you have worked very hard to have some excellent choices. Now you must really think about what is most important to you. Having to work during the school year part time may be difficult, but many students do it, and it does show your flexibility and maturity to be able to handle that.</p>
<p>Well, med school is definitely an option. I feel like USC’s pre med path is much more doable and less stressful than UCLA’s. But I have no idea if all my scholarship money will truly cover the loans, I fear of getting screwed over by the FA department at USC. I’ll probably email them tonight with all of my scholarship award letters attatched. I’ve had a full time job during high school and it is very difficult and I would not want to ever have that experience again especially at college. But I could handle a part time job. Still very confused, I visited Berkeley and I was immediately depressed. I was overwhelmed by the coldness of the student body and I felt very alone. But then, I visited USC yesterday and I kind of felt the same. At this point, I don’t even want to go to college.</p>
<p>asinine16,
Sounds like you are pretty stressed out over the finances. I would definitely go for the full scholarship option so that you don’t have to worry about that. You said you weren’t happy with your visits to UCB or USC - go to UCLA, be appreciative that you have a full ride. I can tell you that many people (including my daughter, who will likely be unable to attend USC which is her dream school due to the 40k we are expected to pay) would kill for your opportunity.</p>
<p>I’m sorry about your daughter’s situation NorCaliM0m. I’ve actually been kicked out of my house, so if I did not have minimal expenses to pay for college then I would be going to a CC. We all have something to be appreciative for.</p>
<p>Visiting UCLA tomorrow, hopefully something changes in my mind.</p>
<p>Just called USC again, and someone else told me that my scholarships will not do anything for me other than lessen the grant.</p>
<p>Everyone is giving me different answers. WHY!?</p>
<p>That is frustrating, and you definitely need an answer to rely on. Go in to the USC financial aid office again with all your information and get a final answer. Calmly let them know that you have be given conflicting reports and now need a final answer so that you can make your decision on time. Be courteous and respectful in your approach— yes, this is frustrating and confusing, but a good attitude goes a long way. The financial aid officers are working extremely hard this time of year trying to help as many students as they can attend USC.</p>
<p>Write down all information they give you and repeat it back to them and ask them for confirmation that you have their answer correctly recorded. Be sure to write down who you spoke to and note the date and time of the conversation.</p>
<p>So for those who have been following my life issues, I went to USC for the second time. The FA department referred me to the Scholarship Coordinator and I got some surprising recalculations. Not even using 4k of my scholarship funds (Recalculating with 6k only) the scholarship coordinator reduced my EFC from 4k to Zero, which I don’t see how that’s possible because I’ve read everywhere that this never happens.</p>
<p>SO what I have to pay for USC that is on me is this for one year:
Subsidized Stafford Loan: 2906
Work Study: 2500</p>
<p>Is this hard to believe because I am really paranoid that this is too good to be true? I don’t want to be lied to AGAIN.</p>
<p>Well Congrats Asinine16…USC really wants your to be a Trojan. Did the Scholarship Coordinator give you something in writing? Has the FA package been update on USConnect? If so then I would say its all true and I would make my deposit ASAP. $5400 would not even cover rent and food for the average person not attending school for the same time frame. You have been given an incredible opportunity. Best of Luck to you.</p>
<p>Great news! Check usconnect and if the numbers match up, then get it done take the money and run. Congrats!</p>
<p>USConnect can not be updated because USC has not received any actual checks. I made the coordinator print out the new package though. I hope this was true and I did not misunderstand anything because it looks like I’ll be going to USC!</p>