SMU 2014 Forum

[Billy Batts]

I'm not sure about the places right on Daniel, but most of the rentals on the other side of Hillcrest are a mix of undergrads, families, and old people. If there are many undergrads, you won't see them partying outside or being loud. Where I live, you can hear a pin drop after the sun goes down. If you found a good place on Daniel, that would be tough to beat. I bet you won't be using your car often.

[kalvano]

I hate you people.

[ebo]

I hate you people.

What's wrong, Kal?

Also, when do we find out what section were in, and what our class schedule will be?

[YYZ]

I'm a future part time 1L.

I called the registrar's office yesterday asking when they would enroll us for the Fall. The person told me it would probably be in the next week or two.

[kalvano]

I hate you people.

What's wrong, Kal?

They live close. I'm bitter because court has run late all week.

[swilson215]

Does anyone have any recommendation for movers in Dallas? I'm going to need help moving my furniture from my pod into my (fourth floor walk up) apartment...

[kalvano]

Does anyone have any recommendation for movers in Dallas? I'm going to need help moving my furniture from my pod into my (fourth floor walk up) apartment...

Hawk Movers. They've moved us twice with no problems at all. They should have a per-room rate, or a simple hourly rate.

--LinkRemoved--

[Burgstaller04]

Anyone know if there is a max amount of loans you can take out for living expenses per year?

[swilson215]

Anyone know if there is a max amount of loans you can take out for living expenses per year?

Isn't the COA the max you can take out? On the SMU FinAid website it has the law school COA as $70,056, so you take out that much (minus the amount of your scholarship).

EDIT: Link to SMU FinAid break down - http://smu.edu/Financial_Aid/Forms/11_1 ... %20COA.pdf

[Billy Batts]

Anyone know if there is a max amount of loans you can take out for living expenses per year?

Mine went something like this: $70,056 = scholarship amount for the year + $8,500 (max. subsidized Stafford) + $12,000 (max. unsubsidized Stafford) + Grad PLUS amount (to bring the total to the full $70,056). From what I've gathered, most people had the option of obtaining the full amount. Also, if you meet the Texas residency requirements, you get something like $5k per year that amounts to a grant.

The main thing to remember with SMU financial aid is to not rely on getting a cent of your refund before school starts.

[TannerRobinson]

Anyone know if there is a max amount of loans you can take out for living expenses per year?

Mine went something like this: $70,056 = scholarship amount for the year + $8,500 (max. subsidized Stafford) + $12,000 (max. unsubsidized Stafford) + Grad PLUS amount (to bring the total to the full $70,056). From what I've gathered, most people had the option of obtaining the full amount. Also, if you meet the Texas residency requirements, you get something like $5k per year that amounts to a grant.

The main thing to remember with SMU financial aid is to not rely on getting a cent of your refund before school starts.

Tell me more of this $5k grant, Chris.

[Billy Batts]

Anyone know if there is a max amount of loans you can take out for living expenses per year?

Mine went something like this: $70,056 = scholarship amount for the year + $8,500 (max. subsidized Stafford) + $12,000 (max. unsubsidized Stafford) + Grad PLUS amount (to bring the total to the full $70,056). From what I've gathered, most people had the option of obtaining the full amount. Also, if you meet the Texas residency requirements, you get something like $5k per year that amounts to a grant.

The main thing to remember with SMU financial aid is to not rely on getting a cent of your refund before school starts.

Tell me more of this $5k grant, Chris.

Better for Kalvano to chime in. He actually receives it.

[swilson215]

My FinAid award showed up on Pony Tracks today, for anyone who's been waiting!

[maqkitty214]

My FinAid award showed up on Pony Tracks today, for anyone who's been waiting!

Mine was on there, too!

It says "Scheduled Disbursement: 8/9"... is that accurate? I guess my expectations are just really low based on what you all have said about their glacially slow fin aid process.

[swilson215]

It says "Scheduled Disbursement: 8/9"... is that accurate?

I'm wondering about this, too...

[Billy Batts]

My FinAid award showed up on Pony Tracks today, for anyone who's been waiting!

Mine was on there, too!

It says "Scheduled Disbursement: 8/9"... is that accurate? I guess my expectations are just really low based on what you all have said about their glacially slow fin aid process.

No, you will not get a direct deposit that early. I think I got my deposit last fall like 7-10 days after the "scheduled disbursement." I'm talking about the day you can actually go to an ATM and gain access to the cash. Classes start on Friday, 8/19. I think you should probably expect to have access to your money by the Monday or Tuesday of that week. Some people may get it by the Thursday or Friday of the week before classes start. However, don't put yourself in a position where you have to have the money before the first day of school. Don't buy crack on credit. I understand summer is even more understaffed, but we didn't get a disbursement this summer until 7-10 days after classes started.

[swilson215]

No, you will not get a direct deposit that early. I think I got my deposit last fall like 7-10 days after the "scheduled disbursement." I'm talking about the day you can actually go to an ATM and gain access to the cash. Classes start on Friday, 8/19. I think you should probably expect to have access to your money by the Monday or Tuesday of that week. Some people may get it by the Thursday or Friday of the week before classes start. However, don't put yourself in a position where you have to have the money before the first day of school. Don't buy crack on credit. I understand summer is even more understaffed, but we didn't get a disbursement this summer until 7-10 days after classes started.

Can you get that money directly deposited? I thought they sent a check to your home address...?

[Billy Batts]

Go into Access, then Student Center, and under Finances, you should see "my SF eSpace." You can set up direct deposit there, and I suggest you do it that way. I hate to think how long it might take them to mail a check. That's going to require physically opening an envelope, etc. It could take months.

[swilson215]

Go into Access, then Student Center, and under Finances, you should see "my SF eSpace." You can set up direct deposit there, and I suggest you do it that way. I hate to think how long it might take them to mail a check. That's going to require physically opening an envelope, etc. It could take months.

Awesome, thanks for the tip!

[bimmer12]

The budget allocates $2000 for books and supplies. Is that accurate?
http://smu.edu/Financial_Aid/Forms/11_1 ... %20COA.pdf

[txsunshine]

Still no movement on my financial aid. I did, however, finally secure an apartment at the Phoenix Midtown complex. Did everyone else get their financial aid awards or is it a bit by bit thing?

[kalvano]

Anyone know if there is a max amount of loans you can take out for living expenses per year?

Mine went something like this: $70,056 = scholarship amount for the year + $8,500 (max. subsidized Stafford) + $12,000 (max. unsubsidized Stafford) + Grad PLUS amount (to bring the total to the full $70,056). From what I've gathered, most people had the option of obtaining the full amount. Also, if you meet the Texas residency requirements, you get something like $5k per year that amounts to a grant.

The main thing to remember with SMU financial aid is to not rely on getting a cent of your refund before school starts.

Tell me more of this $5k grant, Chris.

There's a grant of up to $3800 or so for Texas residents attending private school. It's called the Tuition Equalization Grant. You have to be a Texas resident and be attending private school for the first time.

http://www.collegefortexans.com/apps/fi ... cfm?ID=534

[kalvano]

The budget allocates $2000 for books and supplies. Is that accurate?
http://smu.edu/Financial_Aid/Forms/11_1 ... %20COA.pdf

I used Half.com and Amazon (free Prime membership with .edu email address) and got all of my books for around $1000 total (both semesters).

[abb586]

The budget allocates $2000 for books and supplies. Is that accurate?
http://smu.edu/Financial_Aid/Forms/11_1 ... %20COA.pdf

I used Half.com and Amazon (free Prime membership with .edu email address) and got all of my books for around $1000 total (both semesters).

Kalvano, did you buy new or used? I have Amazon Prime but I don't want to get marked up books.

[Billy Batts]

The budget allocates $2000 for books and supplies. Is that accurate?
http://smu.edu/Financial_Aid/Forms/11_1 ... %20COA.pdf

I used Half.com and Amazon (free Prime membership with .edu email address) and got all of my books for around $1000 total (both semesters).

I got an e-mail saying my Prime membership had expired...