Chance of AU increasing merit aid?

iamsirjoshua
Mon, 26 Mar 2012 02:39:56 +0000

Just to disprove the idea that AU decreases aid every year - my senior year I had more in financial aid (as a percentage of overall cost, not just total dollar amount) than I did my freshman year. Yes, tuition increases every year (at just about every private school), so it may seem like it’s going down as a total percentage of overall cost each year (as mini said, that can be compensated with an increase in Stafford loans). Also, there are times when students lose scholarships due to grades. There are also certain grants that only last for 2 years, but it explicitly tells you that when you accept them. My senior year I ended up receiving an additional, and rather significant, scholarship (not a loan) from AU for having a high GPA - it certainly made my last year quite a bit easier, and flew directly in the face of the pervasive myth that aid always decreases each year. Obviously that’s not a guarantee, and I can’t speak for anyone but myself (and a single data point does not a statistic make), but it does happen. I also did graduate with a bit of debt from federal loans, but was able to find employment in my field (which is not IR or polisci) within 2 months of graduating and am doing fine. Of course, that doesn’t relate directly to the original question of AU increasing merit aid. I certainly hope the OP is able to receive a package that makes attendance at AU possible for them, as it’s a wonderful school.