UC Hastings 2010!!!

[drdolittle]

So I see the estimated financial aid (two Stafford loans) listed in the invoice, and they are slightly less than half of 8500 and 12000. I assume the missing amount is the loan fee? Or is it interest deducted?

Also, when do the estimated figures become credited? The email says sometime between now and 8/20, but if anyone has a more accurate date...

Well, the spring semester is slightly more expensive than the fall (because of an increase in health insurance premium for whatever reason).

With respect to crediting, I couldn't find any more specific info, but I doubt interest will accrue before the first day of classes, or maybe as early as August 20, since that's when excess fin aid will be refunded.

[LizBennet]

Did anyone else get their tuition/ fees invoice? I just got mine and I was charged for non-resident tuition even though I sent in my Resident Application before the deadline and have been in CA my entire life. I've been trying to call the office, but no one ever answers and I sent an email yesterday but didn't receive a response. Did anyone else experience this?

Hey, I was wondering the same thing. Did you not receive the email about deducting $5,600 if you submitted the papers?

On webadvisor, it has the $18,000 figure for tuition but I was thinking that you're supposed to deduct $5,600 from that total. Or am I totally misinformed?

Here, from the email: If you are applying for California residency for tuition purposes and/or will be waiving the health insurance, you may deduct $5,612 in non-resident tuition and $993 for the insurance premium from your payment.

So, I'm thinking everyone gets charged for non-resident tuition fees on the initial invoice...can anyone confirm this?

Ok, I see that email was placed in my junk email. Thanks for pointing that out me! Hopefully it will be dealt with.

[General Tso]

Since you guys are discussing tuition/financial aid issues I thought I might add a bit of insight that I would have liked to have known prior to starting at Hastings.

Even if you don't get a grant your first year, if you are borrowing 20k+ per year you will likely get a grant for your 2nd and 3rd years.

Despite the tuition hikes, because I am getting a grant next year my tuition will actually be LOWER than it was my 1L year. This has had the practical effect of "locking in" my tuition rate at around the 32k rate that I started at. I am pretty pleased that Hastings operates this way.

Hope that helps with your forecasting...I wish I had known this before starting at Hastings.

[a male human]

Does anyone know if there are lockers or anything like that at Hastings? What do people usually do with all those heavy books when going to class (and back home)?

[stonepeep]

Sooo....can someone recommend me a bare bones health insurance plan that works in SF??

Just use the Hastings plan, unless you're on your parents' or spouse's insurance or something. I looked into buying a stand-alone plan from an insurance provider, just to see if it would be cheaper than the Hastings plan, but it wasn't. Granted, things could have changed in a year, but I doubt it!

Does anyone know if there are lockers or anything like that at Hastings? What do people usually do with all those heavy books when going to class (and back home)?

Yes, you will be assigned a locker that you may use if you choose.

So I see the estimated financial aid (two Stafford loans) listed in the invoice, and they are slightly less than half of 8500 and 12000. I assume the missing amount is the loan fee? Or is it interest deducted?

It's the origination fee, yeah.

[zeth006]

How is the gym/fitness center? Is it open early in the mornings and late at night? Is there a lot of equipment, or would you recommend buying 24-hour fitness membership???

[tgbyhnqwert]

Does the Hastings Grant show up on anyone's WebAdvisor (for those who received any money) for Fall 2010?

I received a Hastings Grant of $12,000, but didn't accept the full award package (only accepted some of the Stafford/GradPLUS amounts) due to other financial sources disclosed on my NeedAccess/FAFSA applications. For some reason, I don't see the Hastings Grant in my WebAdvisor "Statement of Account" for Tuition and Fees in Fall 2010 under "Student Account Summary". The Estimated Financial Aid amount is inaccurate since I didn't accept some of the aid listed.
Anyone else have this problem?

Is scholarship money posted for those who did receive it?

[missinglink]

I got a Hastings Grant just a little larger and it shows up on my Web Advisor.

Maybe you changed your eligibility by accepting less loan money? Definitely something you want to contact financial aid about.

[Borhas]

Does the Hastings Grant show up on anyone's WebAdvisor (for those who received any money) for Fall 2010?

I received a Hastings Grant of $12,000, but didn't accept the full award package (only accepted some of the Stafford/GradPLUS amounts) due to other financial sources disclosed on my NeedAccess/FAFSA applications. For some reason, I don't see the Hastings Grant in my WebAdvisor "Statement of Account" for Tuition and Fees in Fall 2010 under "Student Account Summary". The Estimated Financial Aid amount is inaccurate since I didn't accept some of the aid listed.
Anyone else have this problem?

Is scholarship money posted for those who did receive it?

At ASD Fin Aid guy said that if you got a grant and turned down some or all the loans then they would suspect you're not reporting all the income sources they asked for

maybe they want to re-evaluate your financial need

[drdolittle]

At ASD Fin Aid guy said that if you got a grant and turned down some or all the loans then they would suspect you're not reporting all the income sources they asked for

maybe they want to re-evaluate your financial need

I really hope this is in fact the case to dissuade people from effectively cheating on their fin aid application, at the expense of those who disclose the truth.

[Borhas]

At ASD Fin Aid guy said that if you got a grant and turned down some or all the loans then they would suspect you're not reporting all the income sources they asked for

maybe they want to re-evaluate your financial need

I really hope this is in fact the case to dissuade people from effectively cheating on their fin aid application, at the expense of those who disclose the truth.

I think it is, seems like a reasonable policy on the surface

[drdolittle]

At ASD Fin Aid guy said that if you got a grant and turned down some or all the loans then they would suspect you're not reporting all the income sources they asked for

maybe they want to re-evaluate your financial need

I really hope this is in fact the case to dissuade people from effectively cheating on their fin aid application, at the expense of those who disclose the truth.

I think it is, seems like a reasonable policy on the surface

Absolutely, it's the way it should be and would actually be surprising if fin aid were so easy to scam.

[tgbyhnqwert]

Well, all sources of income were reported for me and my parents on the NeedAccess/FAFSA applications. Is it because I turned down some of the loans (while UCH estimated student/family contribution to be $0), but I actually am expecting partial family contribution?
The application for parents' form on the NeedAccess was reported faithfully to begin with, but my status as an independent (since I'm working on a graduate/professional degree) warrants the estimated student/family contribution is $0?

This is in no way a cheat/scam since it's not my fault UCH estimated family contribution as $0 and knowingly awarded a Hastings Grant, given full disclosure on the two applications.

[General Tso]

At ASD Fin Aid guy said that if you got a grant and turned down some or all the loans then they would suspect you're not reporting all the income sources they asked for

maybe they want to re-evaluate your financial need

I really hope this is in fact the case to dissuade people from effectively cheating on their fin aid application, at the expense of those who disclose the truth.

I think it is, seems like a reasonable policy on the surface

Well, I accurately disclosed my savings (20k+) and still got a grant for the 2nd year. I also turned down the Grad Plus loans both 1L and 2L years, accepting only Staffords and Perkins.

Just be honest, if you don't get the grant your first year you still have a chance for 2L and 3L.

[Borhas]

Well, all sources of income were reported for me and my parents on the NeedAccess/FAFSA applications. Is it because I turned down some of the loans (while UCH estimated student/family contribution to be $0), but I actually am expecting partial family contribution?
The application for parents' form on the NeedAccess was reported faithfully to begin with, but my status as an independent (since I'm working on a graduate/professional degree) warrants the estimated student/family contribution is $0?

This is in no way a cheat/scam since it's not my fault UCH estimated family contribution as $0 and knowingly awarded a Hastings Grant, given full disclosure on the two applications.

call them up and try to resolve the issue

and if you don't mind come back here and write how it all worked out

I'm kinda curious

[drdolittle]

Well, all sources of income were reported for me and my parents on the NeedAccess/FAFSA applications. Is it because I turned down some of the loans (while UCH estimated student/family contribution to be $0), but I actually am expecting partial family contribution?
The application for parents' form on the NeedAccess was reported faithfully to begin with, but my status as an independent (since I'm working on a graduate/professional degree) warrants the estimated student/family contribution is $0?

This is in no way a cheat/scam since it's not my fault UCH estimated family contribution as $0 and knowingly awarded a Hastings Grant, given full disclosure on the two applications.

Not sure about your specific situation, but my understanding is that the purpose of Hastings grants is to effectively equalize indebtedness among students. So if one doesn't take out the expected amount of loans based on their financial disclosures, the appropriate conclusion from fin aid's perspective is that the disclosures were inaccurate and therefore any grants based on them should be decreased. Otherwise it'd be all to easy for people to hide their resources to get grants. GenTso probably got a grant for 2L because he's already taken out significant loans for 1L...But if you were completely honest and was awarded a grant for 1L, I'd expect you'll get it ultimately.

[exotic]

Well, all sources of income were reported for me and my parents on the NeedAccess/FAFSA applications. Is it because I turned down some of the loans (while UCH estimated student/family contribution to be $0), but I actually am expecting partial family contribution?
The application for parents' form on the NeedAccess was reported faithfully to begin with, but my status as an independent (since I'm working on a graduate/professional degree) warrants the estimated student/family contribution is $0?

This is in no way a cheat/scam since it's not my fault UCH estimated family contribution as $0 and knowingly awarded a Hastings Grant, given full disclosure on the two applications.

Not sure about your specific situation, but my understanding is that the purpose of Hastings grants is to effectively equalize indebtedness among students. So if one doesn't take out the expected amount of loans based on their financial disclosures, the appropriate conclusion from fin aid's perspective is that the disclosures were inaccurate and therefore any grants based on them should be decreased. Otherwise it'd be all to easy for people to hide their resources to get grants. GenTso probably got a grant for 2L because he's already taken out significant loans for 1L...But if you were completely honest and was awarded a grant for 1L, I'd expect you'll get it ultimately.

I don't think that sounds right though, to take away the grant without any explanation/notification?

Besides, I know i was looking into getting loans elsewhere...wells fargo quoted me 6.2 % which i wanted to take for part of my loans (since its lower than the 6.8 and 7.2 i'm getting) So if i had, how would they have known? They can't automatically assume i'm just getting help from a family member.

I would call and ask, i think it might be a mistake? The lady i spoke with at the financial aid office was really nice (and strongly advised me to take the federal loans, in case anyone else was thinking of doing the same thing...)

[missinglink]

How is the gym/fitness center? Is it open early in the mornings and late at night? Is there a lot of equipment, or would you recommend buying 24-hour fitness membership???

Bump.

Interested about this as well.

[drdolittle]

I don't think that sounds right though, to take away the grant without any explanation/notification?

It definitely wouldn't be right to withdraw a grant without notice. Especially since the amount of grant aid offered certainly influences the decision to attend a school in the first place. On the other hand it would be equally wrong, and all too easy it seems, for people to hide resources and get grants as a result. But if everything was disclosed properly and a grant was offered, the school should absolutely honor it, and I'd expect it would. Why would it not, if all the info provided on the fin aid app checks out?

[exotic]

How is the gym/fitness center? Is it open early in the mornings and late at night? Is there a lot of equipment, or would you recommend buying 24-hour fitness membership???

Bump.

Interested about this as well.

So i'm not a gym person by any means, but i did see the gym and will say its beautiful (haha) ok but on a serious note it did look like they had an assortment of machines, all looking out over a huge window, high ceilings. its not huge but the person showing us did say he never sees it get full. and i assume its 24 hour but don't quote me...

[Great Satchmo]

I think we have a 2L in here somewhere, and this one goes out to them:

I just got offered a studio (probably doesn't have a view since it's below the 9th floor), and I'm curious to see if the cost of living in the tower is worth it.

I currently live 4 blocks away, and pay about $700 for rent (sharing a place with 2 other people). My current apartment is all well and good, but (1) I hate one of my roommates and I know that will be a stressor so I'd likely have to move to get away from him anyway (which probably means paying more, (2) I think being around a bunch of other students will at least make me feel like I'm not going insane by myself and may make me feel like there is a community, and (3) I think it might be cool to finally have my own place for the start of 1L (even though I'd likely go back to sharing after, due to cost).

Any thoughts? It would likely be a difference of $100-$200 a month more to live in the studio than to share a place somewhere.

[drdolittle]

I think we have a 2L in here somewhere, and this one goes out to them:

I just got offered a studio (probably doesn't have a view since it's below the 9th floor), and I'm curious to see if the cost of living in the tower is worth it.

I currently live 4 blocks away, and pay about $700 for rent (sharing a place with 2 other people). My current apartment is all well and good, but (1) I hate one of my roommates and I know that will be a stressor so I'd likely have to move to get away from him anyway (which probably means paying more, (2) I think being around a bunch of other students will at least make me feel like I'm not going insane by myself and may make me feel like there is a community, and (3) I think it might be cool to finally have my own place for the start of 1L (even though I'd likely go back to sharing after, due to cost).

Any thoughts? It would likely be a difference of $100-$200 a month more to live in the studio than to share a place somewhere.

I'm a 0L but based on your reasons, I'd pick the tower. I'll be there too mainly because I don't want to deal with any unforeseen roommate issues and/or the SF bay area housing market, especially for 1L.

[zeth006]

I think we have a 2L in here somewhere, and this one goes out to them:

I just got offered a studio (probably doesn't have a view since it's below the 9th floor), and I'm curious to see if the cost of living in the tower is worth it.

I currently live 4 blocks away, and pay about $700 for rent (sharing a place with 2 other people). My current apartment is all well and good, but (1) I hate one of my roommates and I know that will be a stressor so I'd likely have to move to get away from him anyway (which probably means paying more, (2) I think being around a bunch of other students will at least make me feel like I'm not going insane by myself and may make me feel like there is a community, and (3) I think it might be cool to finally have my own place for the start of 1L (even though I'd likely go back to sharing after, due to cost).

Any thoughts? It would likely be a difference of $100-$200 a month more to live in the studio than to share a place somewhere.

There is an older thread with a poll asking whether people are rooming alone or sharing an apartment for 1L. More than half including myself responded living alone. The general consensus among the studio loners is you can't put a price tag on avoiding a crazy roommate who borrows your underwear without asking or has trouble paying rent.

This is just for 1L, and you'll probably find at least 2-3 other potential roomies during 1L for 2L and 3L.

[Great Satchmo]

I just feel like I need a good reason to reduce the amount of money I have to spend on other things when I already live so close. But, I suppose, the difference in cost won't be too great given that I'd likely have to move because of the roommate situation.

I'm going to see if I can't get into the unit, or at least a similar one and see if the size is livable.

Any more input is definitely appreciated.

[2stitches]

Quick question: do students have access to a refrigerator and microwave? I'll be commuting, and it would be nice not to have to plunk down too much $$$ to buy lunch or subsist on bruised bananas and stale sandwiches