conflict of interest?? Forum
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- Posts: 54
- Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:12 pm
conflict of interest??
I was looking at the way YHS calculates need-based grants (the only schools that give significant need-based aid, as I understand), and basically, it's
cost - (parental + self contribution) = need --> need - loans = grants
But the way they calculate the "self contribution" part creates a serious conflict of interest on my part. The self contribution mainly consists of expending all my assets over the first two or three years in law school. Right now, I have very little assets. However, I can work this summer, perhaps as an LSAT tutor, and may be able to make around $10K in two months (this is just a rough estimate, and the work can be done part-time so that I still have plenty of chill time before law school). But the way grant calculation is structured, I have no motivation to work this summer because if I make $10K, they'll just reduce my grant by $10K, instead of my $10K going towards reducing my loans.
Do I have this right? Is this system designed to discourage me from working (or under-reporting my summer income)?
cost - (parental + self contribution) = need --> need - loans = grants
But the way they calculate the "self contribution" part creates a serious conflict of interest on my part. The self contribution mainly consists of expending all my assets over the first two or three years in law school. Right now, I have very little assets. However, I can work this summer, perhaps as an LSAT tutor, and may be able to make around $10K in two months (this is just a rough estimate, and the work can be done part-time so that I still have plenty of chill time before law school). But the way grant calculation is structured, I have no motivation to work this summer because if I make $10K, they'll just reduce my grant by $10K, instead of my $10K going towards reducing my loans.
Do I have this right? Is this system designed to discourage me from working (or under-reporting my summer income)?
- patogordo
- Posts: 4826
- Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2014 3:33 am
Re: conflict of interest??
technically it encourages you to spend the money before you enroll, which is not exactly the same as encouraging you not to work.
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- Posts: 54
- Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:12 pm
Re: conflict of interest??
hmm.. I suppose so. Although given my original objective (reduce debt by doing some work and saving up money), the resulting dilemma is still the same...no?patogordo wrote:technically it encourages you to spend the money before you enroll, which is not exactly the same as encouraging you not to work.
- MKC
- Posts: 16246
- Joined: Thu Jun 14, 2012 10:18 am
Re: conflict of interest??
Use your savings to buy bitcoin BECAUSE BITCOIN COULD NEVER GO DOWN and isn't technically cash.armysgt wrote:hmm.. I suppose so. Although given my original objective (reduce debt by doing some work and saving up money), the resulting dilemma is still the same...no?patogordo wrote:technically it encourages you to spend the money before you enroll, which is not exactly the same as encouraging you not to work.
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- Posts: 56
- Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2012 2:28 pm
Re: conflict of interest??
It really is kinda stupid. I quit my job early because summer earnings get counted against your financial aid, and I didn't feel bad about dipping into my savings for frivolous purchases.
That being said, you might be able to earn up to a certain amount before they start counting it against your financial aid; might be school-specific what that level is (at HLS that's $7,400 this summer, post tax: http://www.law.harvard.edu/apps/sfs/cal ... alculator/)
That being said, you might be able to earn up to a certain amount before they start counting it against your financial aid; might be school-specific what that level is (at HLS that's $7,400 this summer, post tax: http://www.law.harvard.edu/apps/sfs/cal ... alculator/)
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- Posts: 54
- Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:12 pm
Re: conflict of interest??
Hahaha... I wouldn't be so sure...MarkinKansasCity wrote:Use your savings to buy bitcoin BECAUSE BITCOIN COULD NEVER GO DOWN and isn't technically cash.armysgt wrote:hmm.. I suppose so. Although given my original objective (reduce debt by doing some work and saving up money), the resulting dilemma is still the same...no?patogordo wrote:technically it encourages you to spend the money before you enroll, which is not exactly the same as encouraging you not to work.
I didn't realize that, thanks! Wow, HLS living allowance is $2400/month...which is far more than what I'm currently spending (advantages of living in my parents home). Okay, maybe I'll just work $7400 worth...tachikara wrote:It really is kinda stupid. I quit my job early because summer earnings get counted against your financial aid, and I didn't feel bad about dipping into my savings for frivolous purchases.
That being said, you might be able to earn up to a certain amount before they start counting it against your financial aid; might be school-specific what that level is (at HLS that's $7,400 this summer, post tax: http://www.law.harvard.edu/apps/sfs/cal ... alculator/)
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- Posts: 180
- Joined: Wed Jun 12, 2013 11:40 am
Re: conflict of interest??
Do contributions to a Roth IRA count against their limit? If not, slap everything into a Roth, then take it back out with no penalty when they're no longer looking at your finances.