Jump to content

Menu

How is financial aid looking for your *returning* students?


Nicole M
 Share

Recommended Posts

I've mentioned before that I work on a campus; I have a staff of 15 students, 11 work-study, 4 non work-study positions. This morning I read a series of panicked Facebook status updates -- nearly all my students appear to have lost all their need based award and their work-study. I have to think that this is a glitch in our (homegrown, quirky) computer system, where they are able to access this information.

 

I had to train an entirely new staff last year, and it was not pretty. I really do not want to have to go through that whole mess again, but I could do it. It would mean changing our plans for getting my son to his college, and that would stink for us, but more importantly, a few of my students are now thinking they may not return to campus at all! I really hope this is a glitch in the system.

 

How about your students? Did the financial aid come through for them?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

False alarm! I hope. Apparently the financial aid office will not have the updated information available for students until 6pm tonight, not midnight last night, as they have done in the past. Crossing my fingers for my staff, and for all our kids!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We only got offered non sub loans, so it was cheaper for us to get a line of credit from our home (whatever that is called...).

No merit aid, either--and for next year, VCU raised tuition 24%.

 

24%!!!

 

So, ds found a scholarship for Episcopalians--he applied for $2000. We'll see! It would be a help.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We only got offered non sub loans, so it was cheaper for us to get a line of credit from our home (whatever that is called...).

No merit aid, either--and for next year, VCU raised tuition 24%.

 

24%!!!

 

So, ds found a scholarship for Episcopalians--he applied for $2000. We'll see! It would be a help.

 

 

:willy_nilly:

 

:svengo:

 

Oh, my word. Good luck on that scholarship. Wow.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My sister's work-study was quadrupled. She has so much work study that we're thinking there might be an error. She's also hoping to switch it out for financial aid which will help her more.

 

My work study was cut by almost half, for reasons I still don't understand. Thankfully I will only be using it for the first semester, and I'm hoping I can earn all the money in the first semester instead of over two semesters. My sister and I go to different schools.

 

Otherwise, I haven't had to take out loans since my sophomore year, thanks to living in the cheapest on-campus housing and then living off-campus. I have a lot of steady non-loan financial aid, which also makes this possible.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've lost my three most reliable students, one thinks she will not return at all. This is heartbreaking for me, because I adore these girls, but also because it maddens me that I am continually set up for failure in my work.

 

Sad night here.

 

ETA: And a fourth is down. Oh, no.

Edited by Nicole M
Link to comment
Share on other sites

My sister's work-study was quadrupled. She has so much work study that we're thinking there might be an error. She's also hoping to switch it out for financial aid which will help her more.

 

My work study was cut by almost half, for reasons I still don't understand. Thankfully I will only be using it for the first semester, and I'm hoping I can earn all the money in the first semester instead of over two semesters. My sister and I go to different schools.

 

Otherwise, I haven't had to take out loans since my sophomore year, thanks to living in the cheapest on-campus housing and then living off-campus. I have a lot of steady non-loan financial aid, which also makes this possible.

 

I'm sorry, I was so distracted I didn't respond here. That's strange, and wonderful if true, about your sister's award. I hope everything works out for you. It's such a crap shoot! Keep us posted.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is dd 3rd year. The first 2 years all they needed was FAFSA. She got full grants. Last semester they canceled 2 grants so we had to pay a small amount. This year her college is asking to see our tax returns in addition to FAFSA so we expect the financial aid to be much lower. We won't know until next month.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We got a letter from the college stating that they were extending the payment deadline a month or so. New York has not set its budget, no one knows about their grants and it is affecting so many kids! We are not eligible for any grants but were hoping to hear about a larger academic scholarship. But the school is waiting on that as well....

 

I am frustrated with not knowing but I am grateful that we are not depending on state money - I would be losing my mind!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...