Financial Aid Gambles

[tkm256]

I have been lucky enough to receive acceptances to all of the programs I applied to, but not so lucky with financial aid. It isn't that I haven't been offered any--no one has been offered any. All of my schools intend to send out scholarship and GA offers after their reply deadlines (with the exception of the school who retracted the deadline in light of the fact they're taking so long to decide packages, which scores them major points in my book). I've emailed some to ask for extensions so I can make an informed decision, but none have replied yet. My father, who was burned years ago when he was forced to accept an offer from a law school that subsequently didn't follow through on insinuated funding, advises me to throw honor out the window and just say "yes" to all, kiss off the deposits, and decide for real in June when the offers have finally come through. In his opinion, they have no consideration for their students, so there's no reason the students should have consideration for them. I have moral qualms with this, especially since I could be holding a spot someone on the waitlist is depending on, but in the face of tens of thousands of debt for my masters degree I might be willing to take a walk on the dark side.

Is anyone else in a similar situation? What are you going to do?

[portraitinflesh]

I am in a similar situation.

I have to been accepted to NYU, with no financial aid. But was told that aid may be made available in May or June.

Waitlisted at Columbia, that doesn't offer financial aid in the first year

And accepted, with full aid to a a school that is ranked somewhat lower than these first 2 schools.

I have to notify of my acceptance to the school that offered me money on the 15th, but luckily there isnt a deposit.

But I will have to accept, knowing that, should I get funding for NYU, or moved off the waitlist at Columbia, I will ultimately not end up going there.

I feel really awful, but I don't know what else to do. I don't feel as bad for paying a deposit and then turning down a school, like I may have to do with NYU, should I get into Columbia, because they get the $300 consolation prize of my non-refundable deposit!

[teaganc]

I don't know that you need to say yes to ALL of your programs while you wait for a decision, and if any of them found out, I think they might be allowed to withdraw your offer. Obviously you don't need to say yes to the later deadline one, so if you said yes to one and waited for the later deadline school, that would give you two choices. If funding is the number one issue, say yes to the school where you are most likely to be funded. Rutgers MLIS program, for example, is generally well funded; I believe at least one of the professors has a DARPA grant of 1 million+. They also give RAships to students as they get grants, and I know they are waiting on the results of a few grant proposals. Also, they will give you in-state tuition after the first year if you live there for 12 months during your first year. (I'm not trying to convince you towards Rutgers, but I was admitted into SCILS, so I know something about them and nothing about your other schools).

[slowbro]

Have you found out what percentage of current students at each program receive fellowships and GA-ships, as well as the usual amounts for those? A couple programs might stand out as more generous with their financial aid.

[TulipOHare]

I'm in almost the same situation, but less complicated because I've only been accepted to two schools. One is supposedly deciding finances this week and then notifying next week (but has an enrollment deadline of May 15th), and the other is making no decisions on finances until June (but is sticking to the 4/15 deadline).

If it's April 14th and I haven't heard from the first school, I'm going to put down a deposit at the second school, and pull out if the first school throws money at me.

[Rika1985]

I'm dealing with Financial Aid Gambles too.

I was accepted into two different programs at one university, and I was named an alternate for an GA position at one of the schools within the university, which means if someone turns the offer down, I may receive an offer. This university has also provided limited information about general financial aid so far -- ie loans and work study.

The other schools I have gotten into are not providing any direct funding, but I have gotten information about their financial aid packages ie loans and work study One of which I have to make a decision about by April 15th (NYU).

April 15th is coming up fast and I'm not sure whether to turn down NYU, so others on the wait list may get in, or to make a deposit and allow more time for the first school to get back to me about the possibility of the GA position.