The financial aid department at my university took away government aid as I recieved private scholarships. Is this legal? they also took away school sponsored scholarships that were based on grades, class rank and ACT score. Can they do this? They've taken away thousands of dollars in much needed funding.
2006-06-30 19:20:58 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Financial Aid
It's like the scholarships I recieved from private sources were paying for the part the government was supposed to pay for.
2006-06-30 19:22:43 · update #1
Yes.
You cannot, in any time, get more than your tuition costs minus EFC* unless you have a full scholorship. This could happen because you recieved more private scholorships than you planned, or your parents make more that you originally stated.
So the school typically starts out with private scholorships you've won.
Then they go to their "standard" scholorships they give, which may change depending on the former.
Then to fill in the rest the government aid is put in place...the money between the EFC and what the scholorships came to.
You may also have accidentally opted out of things such as work study. Work study is usally a VERY easy job and no one should ever opt out if they qualify.
If for some reason your parents won't be making so much (eg, dad got a bonus for retiring, mom is going to go voulenteer and isn't making money, getting a divorse) talk to your advisor about a hardship review.
*EFC-expected family contribution, eg. how much you and your family are expected to contriube per year to your education.
2006-06-30 19:29:53 · answer #1 · answered by Running Rabbit 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
They can't take away grants (such as the Pell grants); however, certain loans or school scholarships can be taken away. When calculating a student's eligibility for financial aid ALL outside aid must be calculated into the formulas they use to determine whether you are eligible for loans or school scholarships and to prevent student's from being over-awarded aid. Though it sure stinks that you were possibly eligible for two different scholarships, schools usually see that you are getting some help and try to seek another student to help who have no other means. This helps get them more students at their school. Remember, it is all a business.
2006-07-01 09:04:00 · answer #2 · answered by winchamp 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
College financial aid departments have what is called an Estimated Cost of Attendance Budget ( which is usually bogus because most people need WAY more than they estimate for living expenses) that represents the maximum amount of financial aid that they will certify for you to get. When you have private funding they will always take that money first because that saves any free government money for people who need it and don't have access to private funds. If your private funding exceeds the predetermiend budget, or if the private + government money exceeds the budget it is within the financial aid department's right to reduce the governement aid down to fit the predetermined budget amount.
2006-06-30 19:31:56 · answer #3 · answered by belladona317 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Partially yes they will take the government portion away, but I don't think that they were supposed to take the school sponsored one...You need to look further into it. Be firm about it and ask for some explanation from your Financial Aid counselor. You should be entitled to the school portion since you said it was based on grades, class rank....etc.
That is not fair
2006-06-30 19:26:31 · answer #4 · answered by Sunny 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know, I have the same problem. I notice d that last week it stated I was fully funded had enough in grants to cover all my school expenses now it's down to half the amount I would need for one month! I have no clue what I'm entitled to.
When ever it's time for them to issue me a check to cover my books housing transportation and food (ie living expenses) somethings always goes wrong. Last term it took four months (till the end of the term) before I received any money/ I'm afraid the next thing they'll try to say is that my GPA isn't high enough because they haven't processed my transcripts yet.
2006-06-30 19:24:20 · answer #5 · answered by duuh 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no longer consistently does your help pay for each thing. Esp in case you opt for a school which could no longer a community college or you dont get the max in provide money. in case you owe, you've not got any decision yet to get a job and pay it off. Then next semester stumble on a more not pricey college.
2016-10-14 00:43:28 · answer #6 · answered by basinger 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is legal cause they say it is. They are supposed to be the last resort after all other sources are exhausted based on their calculation of your financial need.
2006-06-30 19:25:57 · answer #7 · answered by treeof knowledge 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can use any money you receive in scholarships to reduce your financial aid. You can try filing change of/in circumstance request for them to reevaluate your award. Good luck
2006-06-30 19:24:27 · answer #8 · answered by Eloise2u 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They sure are
2006-06-30 19:37:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋