<p>So I got my award letter and the family contribution is ridiculous for us. Keep in mind we are immigrants and we still send money to my native country to relatives. Should I call the office and tell them that. My parents never had the opportunity to start saving for my education. I mean how do I tell them that. Do i have to prove it as well. I am not sure we know how much money we have sent in teh past either. Plus, my grandparents are here now to visit and of course lots of money went for that too. Should i tell the financial office this? Will it help?</p>
<p>No, don’t tell the financial office a thing. We at CC are much better at answering your questions than they are.</p>
<p>i would like to know the answer too. although I dont have a similar situation, this is interesting. I really dont think something will happen because the money you all are sending out is still apart of your expenses.</p>
<p>“Keep in mind we are immigrants and we still send money to my native country to relatives.”</p>
<p>can you prove that? In absence of any proof how would this look? An excuse or real need? Some may think your family is stashing away money in your home country.</p>
<p>See, that’s why when I was writing this I realized that I am not even sure we can say exactly how much money we have sent in the past. It is not just directly money. For example, just the other day a friend of ours left to our country for 2 weeks to see his parents there. Through him we sent a pair of sneakers, nike…to be exact, for my cousin’s kid. About 2 months ago we sent money so my aunt can fix the toilet! o.0 Things like that add up.</p>
<p>You can try but I don’t think you’ll get changes to your package based on how your family chooses to spend its disposable income. Think about what you are asking for. A college should dip a little deeper into their operating costs so that your cousin’s kid can get nikes? I suppose if they really, really want you they might make adjustments but don’t expect it.</p>
<p>Also keep in mind that, if you’re pleading cultural norms of helping friends and extended family out economically, the finaid officer isn’t stupid enough not to figure out it works both ways. I come from such a culture as well, and understand that my parents funding our friends apartment purchase some years ago made these same friends pitch in for my tutition this year.</p>
<p>That being said this thread actually brings up a good point - not all parents have thought of, or been able to, save up for our tuition. If my own finaid package turns out impossible for us you actually just reminded me to spell the circumstances out (war making our previous savings null and void).</p>
<p>BGjeez and anyone else in a similar situation reading this thread, remember to make explicit such circumstances! It is possible financial aid personnel does not always remember not to take for granted everyone’s family norms and background doesn’t look like the stereotypical american one.</p>
<p>Thanks frrph for pointing that out, but in my situation I don’t think it will work both ways…at least not any time sooner. I don’t have grandparents who will pay for my education like most Americans and honestly I do not see a single person of my extended family (we only help my family not friends) capable of helping us somehow. Quite the apposite actually, we help them so much. Here is another example, one cousin of mine has diabetes and takes insulin shots. Before the government provided him with all of his medication. Now, it can’t afford to to that. So he either takes it or die. Well, we help with sending some vitamins and stuff (not exactly sure what they are) because the family can’t afford them there along with the insulin and such. I don’t think these vitamins are that expensive but it is something. I realize that many will see this as a stretch but I am willing to voice my situation. The question now is how to do that. Should I call and request to talk to one of the upper personnel? Should I write them a letter? How do you do those things?</p>
<p>BGjeez,
Most Americans don’t have grandparents who pay for their education. Many Americans who have kids in college also are helping pay expenses for their own parents. Particularly medical expenses are very high for seniors.</p>
<p>You have nothing to lose by pleading your case to the financial aid officers, however. Better to take the chance and do that than to keep asking people on CC for advice. We don’t know how financial aid will react.</p>
<p>Thank you, Northstarmom. As I said in my last post, I am planning to voice my situation. I was now asking advice on how to do this, as in should I write a letter or just call? I realize these days I depend too much on CC for guidance. I will simply call the financial aid office on Monday. Thank you all who replied. Enough of me and my immigrant issues.</p>
<p>if you are close by, could you and a parent go in person?</p>
<p>Three hours away. However, I am visiting on Thursday. Should I stop by the financial office and speak to them in person? My parents are not coming with me because they simply have to work.</p>
<p>when you call them ask them if it would better if you came in person on thursday?</p>
<p>I will do that. Thanks, simba.</p>