Ever since we got married, Loren and I have been planning on moving back to Boston to finish college. The time is finally drawing near and we anticipate moving in late August. Loren will be returning to Harvard as a sophomore studying computer science and I am set to be a junior at Wellesley, majoring in history. Our well-laid plans have, unfortunately, hit a major snag - Wellesley's financial aid policy. They only recognize students over the age of 24 as being independent from their parent's household. This means that even though I am married and Loren and I filed our own taxes this year, Wellesley still views me as dependent on my parents and so when assessing my financial aid application, they will also take into account my parent's financial situation. In all likelihood, this will result in little or no aid being offered to me to help pay for my education and may bar me from returning to Wellesley.
I find this extremely frustrating and saddening. I realize that my situation is unusual when compared to my classmates, but I thought an institution such as Wellesley would be be able to take that in stride and make accommodations for me. Loren and I want to be considered as an independent household and we have worked hard this past year to save our money and prepare to return to school. It seems to me that Wellesley should make a change in their policy and recognize married students, no matter their age, as independent and treat them as such. By not doing so they are not truly recognizing my marriage and not granting me the same status as the federal government does. Wellesley claims to want a diverse student body, but they only want certain kinds of diversity, not the type that I would bring as a wife and mother. The purpose of financial aid is to allow all students to attend, regardless of their financial situation. The hard truth is that $38,000 (and that's not including room and board) is too much for my parents to pay by themselves anyway, even if I weren't married. They want to help, but it shouldn't be their responsibility to pay for my education anymore. Unless we can work something out, Wellesley will lose a student and demonstrate that they are unwilling to help those in need who want to attend Wellesley, but just can't make it on their own.
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Erica - I'm sorry we keep missing each other and I'm so sorry to hear about your problems with Wellesley. Where would you go if you didn't go to Wellesley? Where are you guys thinking of living, anyway? Close to Harvard? Anyway that's a lot of questions but hopefully we can talk soon... I can't wait to see you again!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry Erica. I am so sorry that Wellesley is so wrong. I agree that they need to change their policy and diversify their student body. Hopefully, it will still work out and if you don't end up going there, then hopefully, one of the other great several schools in the Boston area will be more than willing to make it possible for you to go there as it is important for you to get an education (that isn't going to cost you 2 legs and 2 arms). Good luck and hang in there!
ReplyDeleteI hope things will work out for the best. You are AWESOME. I want to see you, please. I wish you luck with your plans! love you. It really has been forever. let's catch up!
ReplyDeleteDon't you hate how schools will consider your parent's financial situation when deciding whether or not to give you financial aid?! Do you know what you will do then? Well I'll keep my fingers crossed that something will happen to help you out, good luck!
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