<p>So, it’s almost the end of the month and I’m wondering if anyone has received financial aid info yet for continuing students? I’m hoping that it not going to change from last years aid. nothing has changed with our finances.</p>
<p>What is the optional winter session? Do most students participate? Is this an additional cost for tuition or housing?</p>
<p>my understanding (and I hope someone will correct me if I am wrong) is that the “optional winter session” will not be happening '09-'10 and that that period of time will be a winter break instead</p>
<p>That’s right Smoda, the college announced that due to the budget constraints, “J term” will not happen this coming year (Jan.'10). The majority of the students will have to leave their dorms and Houses, only a few students (such as winter sport athletes, etc.) will be allowed to stay.</p>
<p>^ Yeah!</p>
<p>Time for two weeks some place sunny, two weeks at home . . .</p>
<p>^ actually Dec 22 - Jan 24 is almost 5 weeks. Even better!</p>
<p>Financial aid letters for returning students have begun to arrive!</p>
<p>The first post-recession Harvard financial aid letters arrived at our house this afternoon. I was awaiting them with some trepidation considering the economic downturn. My verdict - awesome as usual. The cost for my Ds to attend Harvard will continue to be about the same as staying in-state and attending U.Ga. - even after Georgia’s HOPE Grant waived the cost of U.Ga. tuition!</p>
<p>We just received our financial aid letter for returning students. Only 1 question… last year my son’s outside scholarship through National Merit was $6,000 a year for 4 years (total of $24,000). Last year my son’s NM scholarship reduced our portion of the contribution by $6,000, but this year it reduced Harvards portion by the $6,000. So, we are basically paying $6,000 more this year than last year. </p>
<p>any thoughts???</p>
<p>It might have been the timing??- did son receive Harvard FA last year before the NM scholarship was given/official? Normally H does deduct any outside award from their grants, rather than parents contribution.</p>
<p>They used to deduct outside awards from the loans first, but now there are no more loans in the initial package. However, if a student received an allocation for work study or a term time job, that can be converted to a loan very easily. I wonder if part of the $6k could then be deducted from the loan. I’d call the finaid office and speak to them.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions. Yes, I will call the finaid office on Monday just to see. I’m not complaining, just curious as to why the difference.</p>
<p>Hi im c/o 2013 but new to this forum. I called the finaid office today but they were very vague about what EXACTLY can be reimbursed in the $2500 for computer and related expenses. What do parents recommend in addition to the actual computer? Do I have to purchase the warranty program for Macs? What is and is not reimbursed?
Thanks :)</p>
<p>^ I would suspect that the Harvard computer store would deal with this a lot and be able to answer that question.
[Technology</a> Services : University Information Systems](<a href=“http://www.uis.harvard.edu/technology_services/]Technology”>http://www.uis.harvard.edu/technology_services/)</p>
<p>I called the financial aid office a few weeks ago and told them S would be using part of his outside award for the computer, etc. They sent him a very detailed letter regarding the procedures for the reimbursement and what would be allowable (no MP3 players but yes for printers and warranties). The letter contains the form to use to request the reimbursement.</p>
<p>Edicionespanol - One advantage we found last year was that if you purchased the Mac from Harvard you got a two-year warranty, but if you purchased from Apple you only got a one-year warranty (for the same cost). As smoda says check out the technology services office for more info.</p>
<p>Apple’s Back to School Promo Announced!
Buy a qualifying Mac* and iPod (see below for eligible iPods) with your Apple education discount between May 27, 2009, through September 8, 2009, while supplies last, and be eligible for a rebate of up to $229. Offer available to personal purchasers only; departments are not eligible.</p>
<p>If purchased at Harvard their site also offers the following:
Free Flash Drive, Printer and Tote with Apple Purchase
Compliments of Technology Services with Your Purchase of a Mac
Offer available to incoming students only who purchase an Apple computer from Technology Services between May 15, 2009 and August 28, 2009 will be eligible to receive the following with our compliments, while supplies last!</p>
<p>Free Flash Drive 2GB with Harvard Insignia
Free Printer
Free Tote Bag (15” x 13”)
Please be aware that shipping is not available on free items. Pick up for complimentary items is required on August 27th, 9am - 7pm or August 28th, 9am - 5pm at the Science Center, Room B10, next door to Harvard’s Computer Product & Repair Center; available while supplies last. Original invoice showing Apple computer purchase from Technology Services is required at time of pick-up.</p>
<p>Harvard Technology Services
617-495-5450
[Technology</a> Services : University Information Systems](<a href=“http://www.computers.harvard.edu%5DTechnology”>http://www.computers.harvard.edu)</p>
<p>^ Right I saw that.</p>
<p>So I guess I have an incentive to use up as much of the $2500 as I can. Even if I buy the most expensive 15’ Macbook Pro, I have +/- $500 left over. And I don’t have to buy a printer. What I was asking was - what could i use that $500 for?</p>
<p>^ I don’t do the computer buying in this family so I only know so much on this topic. But my husband is setting daughter up with an external hard drive backup with the time machine software. Brother is encouraging her to get a set of sound sticks and/or seinheiser noise canceling headphones. I also don’t know what model printer Harvard is giving for free. We will be looking at a 3 in 1 so that she has scanning and copying capability. I don’t know how those items fit with the financial aid award. If you are still determined to use up the whole award remember there are also larger laptops. D will be going for the 15 inch next week. S went for the 17 inch laptops for his college years.</p>
<p>edicionespanol: Again- call the financial aid office and ask them to send you the letter regarding computer reimbursement from outside awards. This is the official word on what you can buy under the plan. The reimbursement is handled through the financial aid office and NOT the technology services office.<br>
As for the free printer- it is an inkjet which is very expensive to run. I suggest a b&w laser and if you need color prints, buy those at the computer labs or whereever Harvard has pay-per-sheet printers. Laser printers are much cheaper to run on a per sheet basis.</p>