<p>I finally got my preliminary estimat back from UVA; I have no idea how much the lateness of my FA app affected the generosity of the application (as well as the lack of an area to explain special circumstances like the fact that my single mother was unemployed for many years and only obtained her job this year, on top of massive debt). As an OOS student, apparently each year I would get 26651 in grants, 3500 in Perkins loans, 2500 in Stafford loans and 2500 in workstudy, leaving us with about a 3200 EFC. The estimate is good enough that I have opted to send in my decision to enroll over my in-state school (my high school is even paying the deposit for me out of scholarship funds!), but I’m wondering if I should be currently content (compared to aid offers other students of relatively low-income backgrounds would get).</p>
<p>I’d really prefer explaining any circumstances the FA Office might not have considered in person rather than over the phone. Also, does it sound like lateness affected the application at all? How should I expect the aid to change when my sister enters college the 2009-2010 year? Is long-term domestic history pertinent (to explain why for example, my family has no college fund) for most FA offices?</p>
<p>I am so happy that things worked out for you. Congratulations, I honestly think that your package is very good. Most schools take into account that summer earnings would be about $2500, so I really don’t think that your package would have been that much better if your FA application had been in on time. </p>
<p>You said “each year I would get” which is not necessarily true. Each year you need to file your FASFA and fill out the FA aid form again. If income and assetts remain stable, you probably will get a similar package (although the Stafford will probably be $4500 next year)</p>
<p>The school does not care about long term history. As far as your sister being in school next year, it will reduce your Federal EFC by 40%. Since I don’t know what your EFC came in at this year (was it 0??) I honestly can’t say if you will get more aid, but there is a chance that it may reduce your “gap” a bit. </p>
<p>Access UVA is a great program and they limit debt for undergraduates. If you read posts from other low income students whose need was barely met at their top choice schools, you can certainly consider yourself lucky. </p>
<p>Myself and I’m sure other parents have been watching your posts and waiting for the outcome. I believe that this is one of the happy outcomes. Congratulations again.</p>
<p>Congratulations! I hope that you really enjoy UVA!</p>
<p>24k is do-able. My debt back in the day was probably a bit more than that in today’s dollars. I lived cheap, and I got it paid off. You can too.</p>