Committed to college without seeing FAFSA financial aid package - big mistake?

You're not alone in this situation. Many schools have their housing deadlines before financial aid packages are finalized, which puts students in a tough spot. First, call BU's financial aid office ASAP and explain your situation. They might be able to expedite your package. Second, yes - you can absolutely still negotiate even after submitting a deposit. Have documentation ready showing any special circumstances or competing offers from other schools. Most importantly, don't panic yet - many schools have appeals processes specifically for situations like yours.

omg i did THE EXACT SAME THING last year!!! put my deposit down at Syracuse b4 seeing my package. ended up geting wayyy less than i thought i would. tried to appeal but they only gave me like 2k more. ended up having to withdraw and go to my state school instead. lost the deposit. it SUCKED.

I work in college financing counseling, and this happens more frequently than you might think. Here's what you need to do: 1. Contact BU financial aid immediately - explain that you submitted your FAFSA months ago (provide the confirmation number) and need your package urgently. 2. Have your SAI (Student Aid Index) number ready when you call. 3. Be prepared with your family's specific financial circumstances that might warrant additional aid. 4. If your family has had changes in financial situation since filing taxes (job loss, medical expenses), gather documentation. 5. Yes, you can still negotiate after depositing, though your leverage is somewhat reduced. Many schools have contingency funds specifically for students in your situation. Don't give up hope yet.

You made a HUGE mistake!!! Never EVER commit to a school without knowing the full cost!!! Schools do this on purpose to trap students and then give them terrible aid packages when it's too late to go elsewhere. My cousin lost $1000 deposit this way and had to scramble to find another school in JUNE. The whole system is rigged against students!!!

Just went through this with my son last year. Calling BU directly might be frustrating - we spent WEEKS trying to reach someone at his school's financial aid office with no luck. What finally worked for us was using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to the Federal Student Aid helpline. We explained our situation, and they contacted the school directly which magically made things happen. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ that shows how it works. Once we got FSA involved, the school suddenly found his "missing" paperwork and processed his aid package within days.

have u checked ur student portal at BU? sometimes they post the financial aid there but dont send an email. happened to me and i found my package was sitting there for 2 weeks lol

i just remembered something my cousin did! she actually threatened to go to the media about how they took her deposit then gave her garbage aid. the financial aid office suddenly found an extra scholarship for her! might be worth a try if u get desperate???

Quick update on timing expectations: For the 2025-2026 application year, many schools are experiencing longer processing times due to the FAFSA Simplification Act changes. While frustrating, this is unfortunately normal right now. When you speak with BU, ask specifically about timeframes for pending aid packages. Also inquire about any provisional enrollment options that might give you more flexibility while waiting for final numbers.

just wondering... what's your SAI? mine was 9842 and i got decent aid from most places

After reading through this thread, I wanted to add one more thing: document EVERYTHING in your communications with the financial aid office. Note who you spoke with, when, what they promised, etc. This paper trail can be crucial if you need to escalate your case. Also, sometimes reaching out to the admissions counselor who recruited you can help - they often have influence with financial aid and want to keep their admitted students. Don't give up hope yet!