Hey,
I got a very generous amount of scholarships and grants from UC Riverside and I’m thankful for that. However, I still have to pay $7500 a year (no parents helping) and that will turn into $30k when I graduate.
If I call the financial aid office at UCR or email them, will they allow for leeway for a little bit more FA?
Thanks
UC’s do not usually bargain and UCR is pretty generous compared to many of the UC’s. You can take out loans for a total of $27K for the 4 years and get a summer job to meet the difference. You can try but do not get your hopes up. Is your family unable to pay or not willing to pay? Is your EFC $0? Are Cal grants and Pell grants already included in you package? Possible to commute to keep costs down?
Thanks for replying.
My family doesn’t make that much and I don’t want to burden them. And yes, our EFC is 0.
Pell Grant - $5815
Cal Grant - $12300
UCR Grant - $9000
Scholarship - $2000
That’s what they gave me for one year. And I also can’t commute because my house is 6 hours away.
I’ll call them on Monday and see what happens.
Good luck to you and hope everything works out. Just an FYI: most schools will gap you and expect some amount of contribution. I do not see work study on the aid list so you might want to inquire about that option.
I believe the UCs do expect a student contribution. Your aid to UCR is about $29,000 for the year. If you take the Direct Loan of $5500…wouldn’t that meet the cost?
You can ask. They might have SEOG money, work study, or Perkins loans available.
Looks like the cost of UCR for on campus housing included is about $36,000 a year. The OP got $29,000 or so in grant or scholarship money. If the OP takes the $5500 Direct Loan, that will bring him or her to $34,500. If the OP has a job NOW and can work during college, he or she should be able to,cover the remaining $2000 a year in costs.
That $34,500 of grant, scholarship and Direct loan money will cover the direct billable costs to UCR.
If the student has a job now and for the summer, he or she should be able to use money earned for fall books, and other personal spending. If he or she continues to work about 8-10 hours a week, he or she could earn the money for second semester expenses.
It’s worth asking about work study…as those are on campus jobs…and that can be good in terms of flexibility when one has exams, etc.
http://financialaid.ucr.edu/ucrcost/
Are you basing the remaining $7500 on the complete COA? The aid you received should almost cover the direct costs of tuition, fees, room and board of $30,881. The COA also includes estimated amounts for books, transportation and personal expenses. You can save on books if you buy used or rent.
Check and make sure you selected “yes” on the FAFSA for being interested in being considered for work study.
Yes, and try and work this summer to earn some of the remaining money and for books and supplies. You can take a student loan if needed, you don’t have to take out the whole $5,500.
2015 – 2016 Estimated Costs for Undergraduates
Off Campus
Tuition and Fees* $15,181
Room and Board $8,650
Books/Supplies $1,700
Transportation $1,650
Total $29,131 ($29, 115 for grants - FA)
If you reduce your book, transportation and personal expenses, you should be in good shape. Some level of student loan (and/or work study) will give you some cushion. No need to live in the college dorm if your objective is to reduce your overall debt burden.
Yes…but he would need to find off campus housing…AND likely this would be a 12 month obligation in terms of lease as opposed to the school year.
Absolutely should be an option for after freshman year…but not sure I’d advocate for off campus housing as a freshman.
Also, it is very possible his UC grant award was based in his indication that he would live ON campus.
You don’t have a choice but to budget, very carefully, and work at every opportunity. That’s what most kids do. Try to find a job, now, before you go to school; you have to work over the summer because working for college costs is not an option.
All three of my kids have kept their book costs down by going to online sites- abe books, amazon, etc. My eldest and then the other two, would email the professors to ask if they could use earlier editions of the books. Professors are human, and, at one time, were in your situation, so they understand the finances. Don’t be afraid to ask! One semester, the dd got her books for $4.00!
Transportation can be shared with friends or family. Use their generosity wisely, but make sure you can offer something in return so that they don’t feel like you’re taking advantage of them. I sewed hems for people.
Living off campus, in California, is very expensive. Rent is compounded by utilities (water, electricity, phone, internet cable) x 12 months. Not including basic stocks of supplies for the kitchen, bathroom and grooming items. You also need a deposit for first and last months rent. It will cost you more money and you may or may not get less FA.
Pell Grant - $5815 Cal Grant - $12300 UCR Grant - $9000 Scholarship - $2000
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That is a very generous package. The UCs (and most schools) expect the student to have some contribution (some combo of loans, WS, and summer work).
You’re the one who’ll be benefitting from your education, so don’t you think you should have to pay for some of it??
Where are you seeing that you still have to pay 7500 per year?
You’re getting $29k per year in FREE MONEY. Why would you need $7500 more? UCR doesn’t cost $36k+
Actually the published cost of attendance for on campus students this year IS $36,000. But that includes books, personal expenses, and transportation which are all controllable costs to,the student.
The $29,000 this student is receiving should pay for…or come very close to paying for the billable costs of tuition, fees, room and board for UCR. If the student adds in another $5500 in the direct loan…and earns money by working…they should be able to attend this school.
The student also needs to check on health insurance. Often this is not on upended in the cost of attendance, but is required. If the student is on a oarent plan that is OK with UCR, the student should be able to,waive health insurance costs.
@retraction: Just curious but what are your other school options so far. Above posters have given you valuable advice to make UCR affordable so Good luck.
Thanks for the answers guys.
@Gumbymom I applied to the UC’s (except for Davis and Santa Cruz) and 4 CSU’s. I got into my CSU’s (but I don’t think I’m going there) and the other UC campuses haven’t released admissions decisions.
Forget the CSUs…they dont give as much aid.
Im surprised to see UCR’s COA is that high now. Wow.
Either way…between a summer job and a small loan PLUS some economizing…the student should be fine.