To parents in the know... how to make this works

Paying for College
1

<p>I have been admitted to a well known college with a decent financial aid package, including sub loan, work study and a scholarship (this is what the school calls, but it’s really a need based grant, not merit). My parents’ employers also provide me a very sizeable tuition grant. I was worried that the school would reduce the need package by the amount of the tuition grant, especially the scholarship. So I emailed my fin-aid counselor. She went through an elaborated way of arriving at the final package, but suffices to say that they would eliminate the loan and the federal study and keep the scholarship intact. I am very more than thrilled! But… What if the school won’t do what she said once I arrive on the campus? I still have her email, but it’s not legally bound, correct? How do I make sure what she told me is what the school will adhere to? Thanks!</p>

2

<p>You Have to email or call your financial aid counselor and have them email or send it to you in writing. I would call and go over it again with them and once you get an answer that is satisfactory ask them for it first by email so you can get it right away.</p>

3

<p>KEEP THAT EMAIL…save it, email a copy to parents, print out a couple of copies, give one to your parents for safe-keeping.</p>

<p>Yes, that email is “fair game”…the school would have to honor that email.</p>

<p>It’s not unusual for schools to use an outside scholarship to replace loans and work-study. However, if you’re still short of money to cover some EFC, you can still get an unsub loan.</p>

4

<p>wouldn’t the school require her to submit her outside scholarship and then issue a formal re-worked financial aid reward letter? I know my kids have gotten updated letters in the past after more information was submitted to schools. But sometimes it takes a while for the school to get to it. Maybe the OP could call and ask about this and the potential timeframe.</p>

5

<p>Thank you all for your responses!</p>

<p>momoffive, you got the process right but that is not my question or what I don’t know but thanks!</p>

6

<p>Most colleges will say on their website how they deal with outside scholarships. It’s typical for colleges to eliminate the self help portions (loans, work study) first.</p>