Approaching a school about need for additional funds

Paying for College
1

Hello all,

So yesterday I received an acceptance letter from New England College. It was my first “yes” from a school and even though it’s a safety I am beyond excited. In my letter, the vice president of enrollment also informed me that I had been awarded an EXTREMELY generous merit scholarship of $24,000 a year. I never thought I would qualify for something like that and it made my week. I filled out the FAFSA only last night so I don’t know yet what their financial aid package will be (if any…)

My mother’s income amounts to $105,000 plus an additional $40,000 in assets and child support. However, it’s a lot more complicated than the numbers portray. I am transgender and due to that she and I have a tense relationship, which initially led her to tell me I would not be receiving parental assistance with tuition nor room and board. Then I became severely ill in September and everything fell apart. I was airlifted to an out of state hospital, spent two days in the ICU on dialysis and life support, then five weeks on a general hospital ward, six weeks of inpatient rehab, and five weeks of outpatient full-time PT and rehab. Multiple costly uncovered procedures, medical equipment/devices, and travel and lodging have all added up to an insane amount. Now my mom couldn’t pay for my college even if she wanted to, because we’re drowning in bills from different facilities and contracted providers. I have also obviously been unable to work (usually 25 hours/week, $7.25 an hour) since late August.

I didn’t know much about NEC when I applied, but the more I’ve learned the more I’m beginning to fall in love. I’m a psychology major on a pre-med track, and while their psych and bio departments are small, they are dedicated–they offer tons of opportunities for clinical experience, research, and study abroad. They are very oriented around personal growth and team building which I like since my main ECs are volunteering and drama.

I have $8,200 of my own money saved, and I can safely part with around $5,000 for my freshman year. I’m also resigned to taking out $5,500 of federal loans. I will have a part time job all summer that will likely amount to an additional $1,000 I could pitch in by September. That means I have almost $12,000 I will pay BY MYSELF for tuition. However, NEC is 50k a year. How do I politely ask them to review my case if I would need $12,000 more from the school at minimum just in order to scrape up enough to attend? I don’t really think I’ll get any need based aid. I haven’t yet taken my SAT but I know I’m above average (got a 22 on the ACT in 7th grade). I don’t want to make them feel used but I know in all honesty I am probably a highly competitive applicant there. Their average GPA is 2.59 and mine is 3.38. My test scores will probably be satisfactory as well. I know that I am talented enough to be at NEC plus I have the passion. How could I explain this to them in a way that will convey my true intentions, i.e. I really love your school and I know I am qualified for merit awards but I simply will not be able to manage with the current package.

Before someone asks, in state is not an option. Deadline has passed and my mom has forbidden me to take a gap year. Also a complicated situation with lack of specialized medical care in my state that makes things complicated while NEC is only an hour away from Mass General. I would have to pay every cent out of pocket for junior college and ironically it would be only barely cheaper than NEC.

Suggestions? Any feedback is much appreciated!

2

The school will expect you to part with all of your savings. You mother can forbid you to take a gap year, but you may not have a choice if she refuses to pay for college.

Since you just filed FAFSA, give the schools a chance to review. I think you are right that you won’t get any need based money. Then you can appeal that, using the medical bills as a reason.

3

contact the FA office and tell them you over joyed to be accepted BUT in order to attend you will have to receive additional FA because of extra ordinary medical expenses in 2017.
then send them a DETAILED list of ALL your medical expenses that your family had due to your illness last year.
good luck.

4

It makes me a bit nervous about future tuition inflation etc to empty my account but ultimately it would be doable, plus I could always work more. College is very important to me so the ~3k is not a dealbreaker if this is my best option.

My problem with my mom’s poor opinion on a gap year is that she may tell me I need to find somewhere else to live (I can’t afford this) or take me off of her health insurance which would obviously be really bad.

I’ve heard some people say that bills and stuff don’t matter. Will it work as a FAFSA appeal tactic? I’m honestly not trying to avoid financial responsibility or even reasonable debt. I just want to figure out what the possibilities are for making this happen.

5

“I’ve heard some people say that bills and stuff don’t matter.”

this is PURE BS.
you need to contact the FA office asap and tell them your situation.
and give them all pertinent information regarding the medical bills from 2017.
get going.
and tell your mom that the bills from 2017 WILL have a HUGE on the amount of FA you will be eligible for if you DO take a gap year and apply to colleges NEXT year,

6

Just an FYI…it’s not exactly easy to get from Henniker NH to Boston. It’s just not. I have to,say, if you have medical needs, I honestly would not recommend this location…at all.

Since you had some significant health concerns…I’m wondering WHY a gap year isn’t a possibility. You are a HS senior…right? And you haven’t taken a recent SAT test…yet. And you submitted your FAFSA…just. You do know…it was available for submission on October 1.

Given your somewhat complicated medical situation this year…I’m thinking a gap year to get all your ducks lined up in a timely fashion would be a good idea.

You are doing these things very much at the 11th hour or even late…for admission for fall 2018.

7

On October 1 I was in the hospital, FAFSA wasn’t even on my radar. I didn’t even come home until late November and wasn’t sure about ability to go to college until mid January. I know I’m late but I was ambivalent about applying until recently.

I was supposed to take the SAT and ACT in the fall of 2017 but I missed my dates too.

I actually would like to take a gap year. But my mom has kicked me out before and even though I’m medically stable now it would be a very ugly situation if she decided to punish me by taking me off the family insurance plan.

8

Right…but as you noted…you are totally behind in everything related to college for this fall. You could have different…and maybe better choices after you take your SAT.

You choice. And really…the insurance thing? Your mom could take you off the plan anyway…right?

Consider all your options.

With your parent income…and the aid you have already received fromNew England College…I doubt you have much “need” left.

What was your FAFSA EFC?

9

The challenge is that you have chosen a school that cost $52k a year and does not meet 100% demonstrated need

While you have received a 24k scholarship and are expected to take the $5.5 loan

@thumper makes a good point, What is your FAFSA EFC? If your mom makes 105k and has 40k in assets Her EFC is going to be about 20K (minimally) more like 25K.

Cost of attendance 52k- EFC 20k = demonstrated need 32k

Your financial aid package scholarship and loan 29k. Remaining need is 3k. You said you have 8k in savings (did you put this on the fafsa as that would add an additional $1 to your EFC) and you say that you currently work.

The school has pretty much met your need. While you mom may feel that her EFC is more that she can or is willing to pay, unfortunately the school is not going to provide you with extra money to lower your EFC or will increase your financial aid because your mom refuses to pay.

10

You can’t make up a ~$22k/year gap on your own. Are there any affordable schools closer to home that you could attend? Where’s your dad? Is he able to contribute?

11

You saw yourself how quickly things can change and how expensive medical bills are.

You missed 4 months of school and while you are hopefully ok now I think you should give yourself some time before college, even if just to work and take the SAT with prep.

Surely your mom wouldn’t kick you out after all this.

Also your health insurance might not cover out-of-state care so if you go to school OOS you would have to pay for a policy through the school which would be pricey.

12

First, I am glad to hear your medical issues have been resolved. It’s pretty rough to go through a significant illness at any age, but the timing of your issues really put you in a bad spot. While it might be understood if you were inclined to blame yourself for this, it sounds like you are instead focused on the future, so kudos to you for a positive attitude.

I think @sybbie719 lays it out very well. With the merit aid, your school is pretty much meeting your need already, but it sounds like you expected the likelihood that they will not be offering you additional need based aid on top of the merit.

To answer your question, it is possible that they will reconsider especially when they factor in your significant medical expenses, but I don’t think they will be able to raise your aid much more than a couple grand or so. But I think your story is compelling enough that the school will want to help you to the most that they can.

Do you have any siblings/ other family members in school? Has your mom told you how much she is willing to contribute? (You said she “initially” suggested none, does that mean her position may have softened? I am sure the stress on her has been difficult as well, more than she may want to admit to you. The threat of kicking you off of her insurance is perhaps coming from her frustration of potentially seeing her hopes for your future might fall apart, you might need to take a different path. Be sure to thank her for everything she has done for you, and whatever else she may be able to help with. Remind her how much you appreciate her - there are lots of trans kids who get no family support at all, and it sounds like she is sticking with you because she may understand you are still her kid, and she still wants you to have a happy, successful future.

You are in a world with an unknown future, you have already dealt with much more adversity than most kids your age.

I truly want to wish you - and your mom - the best of luck. Please let us know how things work out - even if it means you need to take a different timeline/path.