College finncial aid advisors.

[cjcouple]

ok, I'm so confused.

FAFSA was super delayed as you know.

My son is a first in the family to go to college.

I just got his package from his school. It has him listed as a commuter. I paid a deposit and a housing application earlier this week. I understand they likely didn't get that info yet

All that is on the award letter is his original merit scholarship (supposed to be 5k for on campus) but they only put $1500 in because he's listed as a commuter and the standard fed $5500 fed loans.

This is fixable right?

Am I screwed our of housing aid?

FWIW - decision day is June 1. We just went to the accepted student day Saturday.

when I called financial aid office earlier this week the girl that answered the phone said if he is living on campus, he will likely get other scholarships/grants.

I emailed asking for appt (they are closed until Monday morning)

[plutosmoon]

This would be fixable at the schools I've worked at, don't panic until you talk to his aid advisor. If there is a specific contact listed on the award, email that person directly with the specific details rather than any general aid office email.

My guess is someone in the office made a data entry error, or somewhere on an application form he checked the commuter box. If he has the documentation he was awarded a merit scholarship of $5,000 it might take a few emails and phone calls to clear up, but it should be fine. When my aid office makes an error, we usually expedite the revised award letter, we'd probably have a revision out in a couple of days. Bigger schools can take a bit longer to resolve than small schools.

Right now most aid offices are a cluster, so it may take time to get to the right person, be patient, but also persistent. I'm senior staff in my aid office, but I still answer our general phone line and our generic office email, so you might get lucky when you call in and get the right person.

[katieb4tom]

Totally fixable. Tip for everything: it’s ALL fixable and will be more fixable this year bc of the FAFSA.

[cjcouple]

So you both don't think I am SOL with housing aid?

[plutosmoon]

Apr 26, 2024 18:54:46 GMT -5 cjcouple said:

So you both don't think I am SOL with housing aid?

I've worked in financial aid for over 20 years, we have always fixed things like this. In my experience you are not SOL. I would be shocked, especially given the nature of this year's aid cycle, if they didn't fix it.

[cjcouple]

Apr 26, 2024 19:13:21 GMT -5 plutosmoon said:

Apr 26, 2024 18:54:46 GMT -5 cjcouple said:

So you both don't think I am SOL with housing aid?

I've worked in financial aid for over 20 years, we have always fixed things like this. In my experience you are not SOL. I would be shocked, especially given the nature of this year's aid cycle, if they didn't fix it.

thanks!! I'll call Monday as a follow up to my email

[formerlyak]

I know all schools are different, but in DS’ portal he had a task list. In the finances section he had to go in and confirm whether or not he was planning on living on campus or not. Maybe something like that needs to be checked off.

But as others have said, a conversation should fix it.