<p>I completed FAFSA and CSS Profile, as required by Syracuse, Denver, and UNC. Our FAFSA EFC is 18650. Profile calculation would be much higher due to differences is what’s considered.</p>
<p>My son’s options:
UNC, with COA of 24100 is offering 3500 Fed Subsidized Loan and 2060 CWS.</p>
<p>Denver, with COA of 57800 is offering generous merit and a small grant; and 3500 Fed Subsidized and 2000 Unsubsidized</p>
<p>Syracuse, with a COA of about 58000 is offering small merit; and 5500 Fed Unsubsidized.</p>
<p>I don’t understand why Syracuse is not offering a subsidized federal loan, as Federal EFC is almost 40,000 under COA. I thought eligibility for federal loans was based on FAFSA EFC. Can schools base Federal Loan on a recalculated expected contribution?</p>
<p>It could be that Syracuse is just listing the entire $5500 Direct Student Loan without splitting it out and letting thta happen when all the info is in. Some students will get reduced need from outside awards they may get before the school year starts. If your EFC is $18K, you have A LOT of money you have to get before losing the subsidy on the $3500. There is paperwork that has to be completed before your student gets that loan, and the terms of it will be spelled out then. What’s subsidized and not will be clearly shown.</p>
<p>When you look at your offers, do strip out the work study and any of the loans. The bottom is line is what you and your student has to pay before loans and work. So the cost for UNC is $24100. Denver’s cost is $57,800 minus the merit aid and the small grant. Syracuse’s cost is $58K minus the small merit scholarship. </p>
<p>To each of those you can apply the same $5500 in Direct loans that your DD can take, The split between sub and unsub will be determined when all the numbers and awards are in, and your need can be exactly calculated. Thus far, it appears from what I can see with the info given, your DD can take the full $3500 subsidized and the additional $2K subsidized. Even at UNC. AT UNC, your bottom line cost can be $18,600 and they are offering an opportunity to also get work study in the amount of $2060 (if that is CWS= Work Study). Work study is not guaranteed and the student has to find the job from what’s available, get the job, work the job arranging hours with schedule. </p>
<p>Denver would have to come up with more than $30K to beat UNC’s package and Syracuse is not even close. </p>
<p>Many students find non work study jobs to make some money towards the EFC if their hours are not already taken up by WS allotments that go towards the need package.</p>
<p>cptofthehouse–thanks for the info. Denver has offered 26K (21K merit; 5K university) in grant funds, so they are at least still under consideration. My son loves the City of Denver, but is feeling like the DU is too small. </p>
<p>He really likes Syracuse and we are disappointed that the package makes it undoable. We know Syracuse was going to come in lower, as they asked for additional information. We just didn’t think it would only the Fed Loan and minor merit (6K). Its actually irrelevant whether they provide a sub or unsub loan, its still a loan. Their listing the Fed Loan as unsubsidized seemed almost a slap. </p>
<p>Fortunately, he has UNC, a great school at a great price. </p>
<p>You are most fortunate. My son has all three schools on his list for next year, but UNC would be a very high reach for him. </p>
<p>Do talk to Syracuse and let them know about the offers from UNC and Denver. They will likely discard UNC’s package as it is a state school, but that is a prestigious accept. Call the admissions office at Syracuse, actually get the admissions officer that had your son’s file and talk to him/her and tell them your situation and that S is your son’s first choice,but the money’s the issue, and if the person has any advice on how to approach fin aid on the matter. Maybe, maybe, the person can give some advice there. Good luck in that.</p>
<p>But I’m envious over the UNC accept. That would really be something if my son could get in,but the cluster points on his school Naviance and his stats make it a rough go. Congrats on his accept there. </p>
<p>Oh and talk to Denver too, and see if they can squeeze a little more out if he really wants to go there. They might do it. They’d love some one from NC.</p>