Would you complain if a $3,500 institution scholarship was replaced with work-study requirement?

[Anonymous]

Even at $10 an hour, it's not easy to earn that full $3,500 unless the kid works 20 hours a week. That's a major chunk of time, especially for a first-generation kid. And if it's a strenuous job where they have to be on their feet they're going to be physically fatigued for study and class time, which could snowball to screwing up their grades.

This is how I would frame the complaint. Emphasize your concern for how they will fare in school, then ease into the fact that it's a bait and switch.

[Anonymous]

Financial aid is not an "agreement" that is given all 4 years. OTOH, I would be miffed at the school's timing. Wasn't the tuition bill sent out in July?

[Anonymous]

Call. See what they say. They know they changed things at the last minute. It is a negotiation. Let them know you know it is a negotiation.

If DC has something they want to do this fall that is based on the fact they didn't have work study, let them know.

But remember, it really is a negotiation. You can probably scream and get it back to what they offered.

But if you scream, not only will DC be doing work study the next three years but they will drop the next 3 years awards to even things out.

Maybe what you want to work toward is splitting the difference so DC doesn't have to work study this fall but has $1750 in the spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Even at $10 an hour, it's not easy to earn that full $3,500 unless the kid works 20 hours a week. That's a major chunk of time, especially for a first-generation kid. And if it's a strenuous job where they have to be on their feet they're going to be physically fatigued for study and class time, which could snowball to screwing up their grades.

OK, OP may have a legitimate complaint about the changed terms, but please don't argue this nonsense. Lots of kids have done work study, and the point that he "may be to fatigued for study and class time" will be met with rolled eyes and immediately disregarded. And rightly so, FFS.

[Anonymous]

Why can't you pay it yourself so precious doesn't have to work?

[Anonymous]

I would be very angry, because I hate planning based on certain guarantees, then having it all change at the last minute.

So I would check the fine print of the initial offer, and call based on that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Even at $10 an hour, it's not easy to earn that full $3,500 unless the kid works 20 hours a week. That's a major chunk of time, especially for a first-generation kid. And if it's a strenuous job where they have to be on their feet they're going to be physically fatigued for study and class time, which could snowball to screwing up their grades.

OK, OP may have a legitimate complaint about the changed terms, but please don't argue this nonsense. Lots of kids have done work study, and the point that he "may be to fatigued for study and class time" will be met with rolled eyes and immediately disregarded. And rightly so, FFS.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Call. See what they say. They know they changed things at the last minute. It is a negotiation. Let them know you know it is a negotiation.

If DC has something they want to do this fall that is based on the fact they didn't have work study, let them know.

But remember, it really is a negotiation. You can probably scream and get it back to what they offered.

But if you scream, not only will DC be doing work study the next three years but they will drop the next 3 years awards to even things out.

Maybe what you want to work toward is splitting the difference so DC doesn't have to work study this fall but has $1750 in the spring.

It's a negotiation? Really? A negotiation is when both parties give and and take and reach a compromise. What, precisely, is OP going to give?

"We'd like the $3500 to be a grant, not work study."
"No"
"Please?"
"No."
"Pretty please?"
"Again, no."
"If you return the $3500 to a scholarship, we'll . . . say thank you?"
"Sorry, no."
"I can't believe this! If you don't return the $3500 to a scholarship, we'll . . . "
"You'll what?"
"Hold on, I'm thinking."
. . .
"Thank you for your time."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would be very angry, because I hate planning based on certain guarantees, then having it all change at the last minute.

So I would check the fine print of the initial offer, and call based on that.

If OP has paperwork that shows that this $3500 is "guaranteed," then by all means she should bring it up.

But she doesn't.

[Anonymous]

Agree student needs to take lead here.

Are you certain the institutional scholarship wasn’t based on something like final high school GPA? Did students grades slip at end of senior year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What prompted a change to the financial aid award?

They'll just say all financial aid letters are pending and subject to modification. Financial aid offices are shady like that. Then the person on the phone will pretend to click buttons on their computer and say, "I'm sorry there's nothing I can do. I would just give you the award, but it's above my pay grade. And it looks like we're out of aid for the calendar year, but check out the website for other outside aid your child may be eligible for."

I have never heard of a financial aid department revising an award already made for the school year unless there was a change to the student/family’s financial situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Call. See what they say. They know they changed things at the last minute. It is a negotiation. Let them know you know it is a negotiation.

If DC has something they want to do this fall that is based on the fact they didn't have work study, let them know.

But remember, it really is a negotiation. You can probably scream and get it back to what they offered.

But if you scream, not only will DC be doing work study the next three years but they will drop the next 3 years awards to even things out.

Maybe what you want to work toward is splitting the difference so DC doesn't have to work study this fall but has $1750 in the spring.

It's a negotiation? Really? A negotiation is when both parties give and and take and reach a compromise. What, precisely, is OP going to give?

"We'd like the $3500 to be a grant, not work study."
"No"
"Please?"
"No."
"Pretty please?"
"Again, no."
"If you return the $3500 to a scholarship, we'll . . . say thank you?"
"Sorry, no."
"I can't believe this! If you don't return the $3500 to a scholarship, we'll . . . "
"You'll what?"
"Hold on, I'm thinking."
. . .
"Thank you for your time."

You do have the ability to go public i.e. media with such a complaint. If other parents are aware they don't live up to their commitments then they may not accept their offer for their child.

Finances are a parent's responsibilities for college, thus the reason for checking a parent's finances before offering the package. You, not your child, should handle this. I job on top of beginning college is not what a freshman should be doing who is figuring out how to navigate college as a first generation college student.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Call. See what they say. They know they changed things at the last minute. It is a negotiation. Let them know you know it is a negotiation.

If DC has something they want to do this fall that is based on the fact they didn't have work study, let them know.

But remember, it really is a negotiation. You can probably scream and get it back to what they offered.

But if you scream, not only will DC be doing work study the next three years but they will drop the next 3 years awards to even things out.

Maybe what you want to work toward is splitting the difference so DC doesn't have to work study this fall but has $1750 in the spring.

It's a negotiation? Really? A negotiation is when both parties give and and take and reach a compromise. What, precisely, is OP going to give?

"We'd like the $3500 to be a grant, not work study."
"No"
"Please?"
"No."
"Pretty please?"
"Again, no."
"If you return the $3500 to a scholarship, we'll . . . say thank you?"
"Sorry, no."
"I can't believe this! If you don't return the $3500 to a scholarship, we'll . . . "
"You'll what?"
"Hold on, I'm thinking."
. . .
"Thank you for your time."

You do have the ability to go public i.e. media with such a complaint. If other parents are aware they don't live up to their commitments then they may not accept their offer for their child.

Finances are a parent's responsibilities for college, thus the reason for checking a parent's finances before offering the package. You, not your child, should handle this. I job on top of beginning college is not what a freshman should be doing who is figuring out how to navigate college as a first generation college student.

Wow. So much nonsense here.

First, this is not a freshman, it is a returning student. College students work all the time. And financial aid packages aren't guaranteed year to year, and the form in which the aid is provided definitely isn't guaranteed.

Finally, if your idea of a "negotiation" is "I will go whine to the media that although my kid's substantial aid package totals the same this year as last, this year $3500 is a work study, not a scholarship! It's an outrage! My kid shouldn't be expected to work!" I expect you will be told to go for it. They may actually give you CNN's telephone number.

[Anonymous]

Where does it say that OP's kid isn't a freshman? I don't see that in the OP.

I also agree that you're the one with the financial responsibility, so you should make the call. Your child may be on his way to adulthood, but you are the paying customer, not him.

I would read the offer letter very carefully and then make the call. Unlike the PP who posted the imaginary conversation, you do have options -- including speaking to someone higher up in the office and ultimately your child has the ability to transfer.

I also think it's highly problematic that they pulled this bait and switch on your kid. Is it unreasonable to have to work in college? No. But the student should have an idea of what the job will be and what the hours will be going into the semester, not two weeks after it starts. That way he would have the ability to predict his schedule and choose classes that work both in terms of timing of the work hours and in terms of the overall workload of jobs + classes.

OP, you are not at all being "entitled" to call and complain about this, nor is your student a lazy freeloader. PPs above who imply these things have no right to do so. Figure out the terms of the offer letter, make sure you go on the school's website and read up on their financial aid policies, then make the call.

[Anonymous]

DC is a freshman. First generation. No change in grades or behavior. The previous letters do all have * disclaimer language that things can change this is estimate . . .

Haven’t called yet. We have no leverage and I feel like they’re going to be like that post above. “No . . . again, no . . .”