<p>Once again: “Meets 100% of need” is calculated by USC’s internal formula which is not the same as FAFSA nor does it match the internal calculator which has FA admits is inaccurate at ALL income levels.</p>
<p>While Parent Plus loans are not included in USC financial aid packages - it is significant that when a student logs on to their portal the “balance” after student loans, grants and work study are deducted shows two choices - pay cash, or Parent Plus loans. It’s stated right on the portal. There’s even an estimator to help students and parents figure out what the monthly payments will be (also inaccurate) based on how they allocate the money (between cash and loans).</p>
<p>So let’s be frank. Families with low income levels and low assets this past year were getting hit with pretty healthy parent contribution figures and many students had to opt for other alternatives (including Community College or those with better offers). I had a loooong talk with a counselor about it on campus this past month. And even the financial aid thread on THIS board is filled with stories of students who were unprepared for the reality and had to decline or withdraw. </p>
<p>Even the daily Trojan had a story in which students complained about lower income classmates who couldn’t continue in subsequent years due to low financial aid coupled with high loans that couldn’t be carried by the parents. Or whose parents didn’t qualify because of credit issues.</p>
<p>I just want the student to have realistic expectations about how this process works. Significant is in the eye of the beholder. There are a lot of students who get the USC merit awards and find that even at - say half tuition - the reduction against a $60,000 starting figure is still, often unattainable. Which is why I suspect the yield against offers is so low.</p>
<p>For many families SCA is worth the sacrifice families have to make in order to manage tuition and or loans. For others - it just isn’t remotely feasible.</p>