Financial Aid Confusion

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
#1

<p>This might be totally dumb of me, but I can’t quite understand the two columns on the financial aid page…lol</p>

<p>The only difference is:
…Penn…Yours
Federal Stafford Loan…$0…$3,500</p>

<p>This results in expected family contribution at the bottom with a difference of 3500 dollars. Does this mean that this loan is optional, or what?</p>

#2

<p>Stafford loans are optional, yeah -- but I'd advise that you take them because the rates are low and the payments are deferred.</p>

#3

<p>Ok, thanks for clearing that up...lol well I thought that I had to pay 3500 dollars more per year than I actually do...this is a nice feeling</p>

#4