Clarification needed for UC Financial Aid package

[theReach]

<p>It says this on the top of the page. Not sure why my FAFSA was selected:

Your FAFSA is selected for Federal Verification. UC Davis is required by federal regulations to request additional documents (e.g., tax returns, verification worksheet) to verify the information on your FAFSA.The deadline to submit verification documents is July 15th, 2010.We cannot disburse financial aid until all verification documentation requirements are satisfied (under “action required”). You will not be able to accept any offered Financial Aid until after verification is completed.Unsatisfied requirements and late or missing documents may affect the types and amounts of aid offered, and will delay disbursement and/or cancellation of funds.

</p>

<p>This is my FA package:

Estimated Cost of Attendance
Basic Living $13,854.00<br>
Books and Supplies $1,601.00<br>
Fees $13,082.00<br>
Transportation $722.00<br>
Out of State $0.00<br>
Summer $0.00<br>
Mid Year Fee Increase $0.00<br>
Other $0.00<br>
Total Cost of Attendance $29,259.00</p>

<p>Contributions
Student Self Help Expectation $2,661.00<br>
Student Contribution $89.00<br>
Parent Contribution $1,800.00<br>
Additional Resources $0.00<br>
Total Contributions $4,550.00</p>

<p>Financial Need $24,709.00</p>

<p>Estimated Financial Aid
Ac. Competitive Grant Est.-NH $750.00<br>
Cal Grant B Estimated-NH $1,551.00<br>
Federal Direct Loan Sub-NH $3,500.00<br>
Federal Pell Grant Program-NH $3,700.00<br>
Federal Perkins Loan-NH $2,000.00<br>
UCD Campus Fee Grant-NH $630.00<br>
Entering UG Scholarship - NH $12,578.00<br>
Total Estimated Financial Aid $24,709.00

</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I qualify for the UC Blue and Gold plan since my EFC was 1800. Is the BG plan just the “Entering UG Scholarship”? </p></li>
<li><p>What does the “NH” stand for in front of my FA?</p></li>
<li><p>Is this a good package for a state school like UC Davis?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Help is much appreciated. Thanks.</p>

[mom2collegekids]

<p>It looks like a very good package from a UC.</p>

<p>That “NH” is on many kids’ FA packages…No one seems to know what it stands for…but it doesn’t seem bad.</p>

<p>When you consider the financial state that Calif is in right now, it amazes me that a state school can give about $13k per year in free aid (plus the Calif and federal aid).</p>

[theReach]

<p>Thank you, mom2collegekids. I’m not sure, but I think that the “Entering UG Scholarship - NH $12,578.00” is the UC Blue and Gold Program. The website is very vague:

UC’s Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan will cover your systemwide fees if you are a California resident whose family earns less than $60,000 a year ($70,000 beginning in 2010-11) and you qualify for financial aid.

</p>

[mom2collegekids]

<p>I agree…but no one seems to know what the “NH” stands for…it’s put next to several different line items in kids’ aid packages…</p>

<p>NH??? hmmmm</p>

[NewEnglandMother]

<p>I was curious too so I found a website that evaluates the level of clarity of financial aid letters and found this regarding UC Davis</p>

<p>"Bossio says Davis is saddled with an ancient computer system, which, unfortunately, can’t be easily cured of quirks like printing useless characters next to some of the aid information. NH, for example, stands for nothing more than North Hall, which is where the financial aid office used to be located. Bossio acknowledges that the financial aid process is overly complicated and needs to be simplified. “Does it have to be that complicated? It’s nuts!” she says. "</p>

<p>Who would have guessed?</p>

[mom2collegekids]

<p>LOL…North Hall…</p>

<p>I was guessing all kinds of odd things…</p>

[theReach]

<p>Haha, what a strange explanation! Thank you for the clarification NewEnglandMother.</p>