Sharon in MD Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Well, today we sent in our request for a review of our aid/scholarship package to ds's number one choice school. We don't qualify for federal aid because dh makes too much, but we also are trying to lower our rather high credit card debt and other loans, so we hate to take on significant college debt. Ds was offered a pretty nice 1/2 tuition scholarship already and we are praying that when the committee looks over the other offers he has received at other comparable schools, they may be willing to increase their scholarship to come closer so that our final costs would be about the same. I'm trying to find a job for when ds graduates, but haven't had any nibbles yet, so that would be another prayer need. Ds is desperate to go to his #1 choice, but we are really praying that the Lord would bless him with more scholarship money. We really believe his #1 pick is the best fit for him, it's just awfully expensive. Thanks so much for praying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Hen Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 praying here Sharon. Carole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mama25angels Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Praying here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in MD Posted April 9, 2009 Author Share Posted April 9, 2009 Thanks so much....they should look at it today according to my point of contact in the office. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 I will pray for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in MD Posted April 9, 2009 Author Share Posted April 9, 2009 thank you! I'll be sure to post when we hear something. It probably won't be announced till next week, I think. But, it sure would be nice to know before the weekend. Maybe they'll be feeling generous since it's just before a holiday! Ha! wishful thinking!;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in MD Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 We are happy, happy dancing here today! :party: We are also praying grateful and joyful prayers of thanksgiving.. ..the appeals committee granted ds additional scholarship money (a total $20,000 a year :w00t: :hurray:) and is offering him an added $3,000 per year in a subsidized loan from the university. The loan acts like a subsidized Stafford loan, but from private university funds. I cannot tell you how excited and thrilled we are that God has opened the door for us. It will still be tough, but we can make it work, which is what we asked for. DS is so excited...this is his dream school and dream opportunity. Thank you so much for praying with us! Guess I'll have to edit my signature to indicate I'm a Future Drexel Dragon Mom! Here is a hug from me to all of you for your never ending support!!! :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nissi Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 That is wonderful! Praise God! Congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ria Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Fantastic news!!! I'm so happy for you guys! Ria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusanAR Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 How wonderful! I am thankful with you!! susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in MD Posted April 14, 2009 Author Share Posted April 14, 2009 We are doing cartwheels, well, if I could do a cartwheel, I would! It is really a great feeling to see it coming together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaLisa Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 That is awesome! Praising the Lord with you! And what a testimony for your son to know Who was his help even in the practical areas of life. I'm curious about the appeals process. Since yours was successful, can you share how you went about it? What triggered the extra scholarship money on 2nd pass that didn't on the 1st pass? I don't mean for you to share your financial particulars, but educate this newbie about the process. Thanks! Lisa ETA: And you are welcome to pm me if you'd like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in MD Posted April 14, 2009 Author Share Posted April 14, 2009 I'm curious about the appeals process. Since yours was successful, can you share how you went about it? What triggered the extra scholarship money on 2nd pass that didn't on the 1st pass? I don't mean for you to share your financial particulars, but educate this newbie about the process. Hi Lisa, I'll be glad to share the process, but it probably varies from school to school. Ours began with a call by me to the financial aid office to find out how one goes about getting student loans and so on. This is our first foray into the world of college admissions and financing so I've asked loads of questions along the way. Anyway, when I called the first thing they asked me was if we had already filed an appeal, which of course we had never even heard of. They encouraged us to file the appeal and sent me a detailed email with instructions for filing it. The kinds of things that they wanted to know were things like, if you think there is some compelling financial information that doesn't get computed in the FAFSA, things that make your financial need different than what the FAFSA snapshot shows...be honest and tell them about it. If your child has had higher test scores or earned honors of some sort since the initial scholarship offer, that could possibly increase a scholarship award. In our case, since the time he had applied, he had been offered a place in their honors college and had received competitive scholarship offers and an offer of a position in a prestigious scholars program, both of which would ultimately be much less expensive to attend. (I don't mean that in a braggy way, just trying to show the kinds of things that can make a difference) So, we took that information and ds and I wrote a letter...he wrote the part about how much he wanted to come to Drexel, how it has been his top choice all along...pretty much poured out his heart. I wrote the part about the other offers and our financial situation. I did a breakdown comparing the debt load we would have from attending each school and we asked them to please review the offer they had made and see if there was anyway they could bring the numbers closer to each other. They suggested that the letter should specify how much more help you would need to make the decision to choose them. We merged the two parts of the letter into one letter from our ds, because they said the letter should come from the student. It was basically an honest, heartfelt plea...I want to come to your school, but I may have to choose a different place... And, they wanted copies of all the scholarship offers and all the supporting aid docs from the other schools too. We pretty much put together a letter with all the supporting docs to back up everything in the letter, including, embarrassingly, the credit card and home equity statements. You want to put it all together for them so that it is easy to review. Then we sent it in and prayed. They have a quick turn around policy on appeals. They promise to get it reviewed in just a couple days so that the student can move forward on their decisions. I know we really appreciated that. Hope this helps a little! Thanks again for the prayers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Thank you for the comprehensive explanation of the aid appeal process, Sharon. We're in the midst of planning an appeal too, so your first hand advice is very helpful. Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaLisa Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Thanks so much Sharon. What great insight into financial aid. We'll be there next year with my oldest. I know you all are so excited! Now you need to hunt up that college packing list that Gwen in VA had! Many blessings, Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwyche Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 What a wonderful praise report!!! I'm very happy for you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwen in VA Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 Hurrah! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in MD Posted April 25, 2009 Author Share Posted April 25, 2009 He's very excited and so are dh and I. We signed the forms and made the deposits so he's on his way. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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