The George Washington Law School 2010 Forum

[dontstopbelivin]

Financial aid heads-up- if you haven't already received a merit scholarship, you probably aren't getting one:

"GW Law Merit Scholarship Awards: At this point, we have made a first round of merit scholarship awards. Merit scholarship award letters were included in the acceptance packages of those selected. Based upon the number of award recipients who have accepted thus far, as well as past experience, we think it is very unlikely that funds will become available to allow us to make a second round of merit scholarship awards." (from a generic email received about 15 minutes ago).

It sounds like there could be some need-based money ($3-15K/year), but not sure who really qualifies.

[CyLaw]

And after reading that email. Withdrawn.

[jk11287]

Can they NOT send an email entitled "Jennifer-Financial Aid-IMPORTANT!" or whatever the hell it was, and then include a FORM LETTER? I seriously thought I was getting cash.

[jk11287]

Financial aid heads-up- if you haven't already received a merit scholarship, you probably aren't getting one:

"GW Law Merit Scholarship Awards: At this point, we have made a first round of merit scholarship awards. Merit scholarship award letters were included in the acceptance packages of those selected. Based upon the number of award recipients who have accepted thus far, as well as past experience, we think it is very unlikely that funds will become available to allow us to make a second round of merit scholarship awards." (from a generic email received about 15 minutes ago).

It sounds like there could be some need-based money ($3-15K/year), but not sure who really qualifies.

Need based aid takes into account both your own and your family's income, even if your parents aren't contributing at all. If you were eligible for financial aid in college, you might be able to get something.

[Interminable_Waiting]

Ugh. Got that email too. My interest in attending GW over Georgetown w/o the 30K plus housing is 00.

[CyLaw]

Financial aid heads-up- if you haven't already received a merit scholarship, you probably aren't getting one:

"GW Law Merit Scholarship Awards: At this point, we have made a first round of merit scholarship awards. Merit scholarship award letters were included in the acceptance packages of those selected. Based upon the number of award recipients who have accepted thus far, as well as past experience, we think it is very unlikely that funds will become available to allow us to make a second round of merit scholarship awards." (from a generic email received about 15 minutes ago).

It sounds like there could be some need-based money ($3-15K/year), but not sure who really qualifies.

Need based aid takes into account both your own and your family's income, even if your parents aren't contributing at all. If you were eligible for financial aid in college, you might be able to get something.

Parent data is taken into account no matter want if you are under 30, even if you are married, a military veteran, and have not been dependent on your parents for more than 8 years.

This makes my decision so much easier. So, it comes down to Vanderbilt v. Cornell.

[CyLaw]

My wife's reaction to that email

GW: "Oh, you need $100? Well, here's a penny."

[chutzpah]

Obviously its super late, but given GW's 3/31 deadline, I was thinking of sending in an app today bc my Feb LSAT (174, up from 165) might net me some $$ from GW. Given that email, do you all think I don't have a chance at merit aid at this point in the cycle?

[sjj05]

And after reading that email. Withdrawn.

+1

[td6624]

I'm just glad to have a rough set of days to expect word on my FAFSA.

[ndirish2010]

And after reading that email. Withdrawn.

+1

+2. Disappointing, even Fordham gave me $45K and they are supposed to be equally stingy. I would have really liked to be able to afford GW.

[therealfp]

Parent data is taken into account no matter want if you are under 30, even if you are married, a military veteran, and have not been dependent on your parents for more than 8 years.

This makes my decision so much easier. So, it comes down to Vanderbilt v. Cornell.

not true for FAFSA...you need not include parent info if you are over 25, or any of a dozen other circumstances, as listed on the FAFSA website.

true for Need Access, but GW doesn't participate in Need Access, unless I missed something.

[holydonkey]

And after reading that email. Withdrawn.

+1

+2. Disappointing, even Fordham gave me $45K and they are supposed to be equally stingy. I would have really liked to be able to afford GW.

+3 Seriously, wth. While other schools provide scholarships in ranges, GW is 30k or bust. Good luck filling the rest of your class.

[jk11287]

[

not true for FAFSA...you need not include parent info if you are over 25, or any of a dozen other circumstances, as listed on the FAFSA website.

true for Need Access, but GW doesn't participate in Need Access, unless I missed something.

When you fill out the FAFSA for any sort of graduate school you are automatically figured as independent for the sake of federal loan eligibility, etc. It is the school's perrogative, however, to require you to submit parental financal information, EVEN IF you are married and EVEN IF you are 25, etc. And GW does just that.

[dakatz]

Parent data is taken into account no matter want if you are under 30, even if you are married, a military veteran, and have not been dependent on your parents for more than 8 years.

This makes my decision so much easier. So, it comes down to Vanderbilt v. Cornell.

not true for FAFSA...you need not include parent info if you are over 25, or any of a dozen other circumstances, as listed on the FAFSA website.

true for Need Access, but GW doesn't participate in Need Access, unless I missed something.

GW requires your parent info for the FAFSA if you want to be considered for need-based aid. They seem to be unique in this respect, because no other school I applied to or heard about requires parent FAFSA info. But yes, GW indeed requires this. I confirmed this with their financial aid office.

[CyLaw]

Parent data is taken into account no matter want if you are under 30, even if you are married, a military veteran, and have not been dependent on your parents for more than 8 years.

This makes my decision so much easier. So, it comes down to Vanderbilt v. Cornell.

not true for FAFSA...you need not include parent info if you are over 25, or any of a dozen other circumstances, as listed on the FAFSA website.

true for Need Access, but GW doesn't participate in Need Access, unless I missed something.

From the most recent email (emphasis not added, this is how GWU sent it).

GW Law Need-Based Grant Awards
If you wish to be considered for a GW Law need-based grant, please be sure that you submit your FAFSA online by going to: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you were born on or after January 1, 1981, your parents must complete the parental information section of the FAFSA if you wish to be considered for a GW Law need-based grant.

[mdgold]

Parent data is taken into account no matter want if you are under 30, even if you are married, a military veteran, and have not been dependent on your parents for more than 8 years.

This makes my decision so much easier. So, it comes down to Vanderbilt v. Cornell.

not true for FAFSA...you need not include parent info if you are over 25, or any of a dozen other circumstances, as listed on the FAFSA website.

true for Need Access, but GW doesn't participate in Need Access, unless I missed something.

From the most recent email (emphasis not added, this is how GWU sent it).

GW Law Need-Based Grant Awards
If you wish to be considered for a GW Law need-based grant, please be sure that you submit your FAFSA online by going to: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you were born on or after January 1, 1981, your parents must complete the parental information section of the FAFSA if you wish to be considered for a GW Law need-based grant.

so am i assuming if my parents make a significant amount of money (over 250k) then it is not even worth it for them to fill this out as i won't qualify for need-based grants?

[jk11287]

Not a chance. Im in the same situation, and even though they're not contributing, my parents are ruining my life on this front.

[FromRussiaWithLove]

The director of financial aid also told me that if you receive merit money, you will not receive need-based money. So if you have merit money, might as well leave your folks off of the FAFSA

[therealfp]

Parent data is taken into account no matter want if you are under 30, even if you are married, a military veteran, and have not been dependent on your parents for more than 8 years.

This makes my decision so much easier. So, it comes down to Vanderbilt v. Cornell.

not true for FAFSA...you need not include parent info if you are over 25, or any of a dozen other circumstances, as listed on the FAFSA website.

true for Need Access, but GW doesn't participate in Need Access, unless I missed something.

From the most recent email (emphasis not added, this is how GWU sent it).

GW Law Need-Based Grant Awards
If you wish to be considered for a GW Law need-based grant, please be sure that you submit your FAFSA online by going to: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you were born on or after January 1, 1981, your parents must complete the parental information section of the FAFSA if you wish to be considered for a GW Law need-based grant.

yeah, you are right, son of a bitch

[lslc13]

Is anyone else ED-to-RD and STILL waiting for a response? We're now officially past the "4-6 weeks" mentioned in the deferral letter. I'm wondering how long I should wait to call...

[jelizabeth88]

pretty positive I am absolutely screwed after entering my parents' fafsa info. does anyone know to what extent they use your parents' info to determine need based aid? they didn't pay for my undergrad and they sure as hell are not going to help with law school...more of the "make it your own way" type. frack.

[chinagator]

I do not understand GW's merit aid policy at all.

"At this point, we have made a first round of merit scholarship awards. Merit scholarship award letters were included in the acceptance packages of those selected. Based upon the number of award recipients who have accepted thus far, as well as past experience, we think it is very unlikely that funds will become available to allow us to make a second round of merit scholarship awards."

The 'those selected' seem to be very arbitrary. There are so many people with above median numbers who got nothing, but have identical numbers and just as strong of applications as some of those who get $100,000. This makes absolutely no sense. The expected cost per year is $69,000. Soooo, $207,000 over 3 years, and they offer absolutely nothing to lessen the blow? Wow....

Does anyone know if their policy has always been this way?

[therealfp]

Parent data is taken into account no matter want if you are under 30, even if you are married, a military veteran, and have not been dependent on your parents for more than 8 years.

This makes my decision so much easier. So, it comes down to Vanderbilt v. Cornell.

not true for FAFSA...you need not include parent info if you are over 25, or any of a dozen other circumstances, as listed on the FAFSA website.

true for Need Access, but GW doesn't participate in Need Access, unless I missed something.

From the most recent email (emphasis not added, this is how GWU sent it).

GW Law Need-Based Grant Awards
If you wish to be considered for a GW Law need-based grant, please be sure that you submit your FAFSA online by going to: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you were born on or after January 1, 1981, your parents must complete the parental information section of the FAFSA if you wish to be considered for a GW Law need-based grant.

yeah, you are right, son of a bitch

I just realized that reads like I'm calling you a son of a bitch...absolutely not intended, I meant the whole situation is a son of a bitch.

[CyLaw]

yeah, you are right, son of a bitch

I just realized that reads like I'm calling you a son of a bitch...absolutely not intended, I meant the whole situation is a son of a bitch.

HAHA. I didn't read it that way. I thought from the start you were just exclaiming at the situation. But that could just be because of my mind set towards GWU right now.