u/Beneficial-Click-598

Hey everyone, I’m kind of freaking out and could really use some advice.

I’m a transfer student who was recently admitted to Vanderbilt, and I’m extremely grateful since it’s been one of my dream schools.

I originally didn’t apply for financial aid because I missed the deadlines/requirements. Afterward, I emailed my assigned financial aid advisor explaining my situation. She replied directly and even sent me a screenshot of what my aid package would supposedly look like.

The amount looked good, so I relied on that information and declined another cheaper school whose commitment deadline happened to be the same day.

Now that I’ve looked at the numbers more carefully, I’m worried there may have been a mistake. I know almost for certain it’s incorrect because the package includes a Pell Grant, which I definitely should not qualify for based on my family’s finances. That’s what’s making me think there may have been an overestimate or accidental mix-up. However, she did use my name in the email.

If the actual package ends up being much lower, is there any chance Vanderbilt would honor the amount I was shown or work with me since I relied on that information to make my final decision?

I’m honestly really stressed and would appreciate any advice or similar experiences. Thank you.

Hey everyone, I’m kind of freaking out and could really use some advice.

I’m a transfer student and was recently admitted to a T20 private school, which I’m extremely grateful for. Honestly it was one of my dream schools.

I initially did not apply for financial aid because I didn’t realize the deadlines and requirements in time, dumb mistake on my part. Afterward, I emailed my assigned financial aid advisor explaining my situation clearly with my full name, situation, etc. She responded directly to me and even sent me a screenshot showing what my financial aid package would supposedly look like.

I was satisfied with the amount shown, and because of that, I declined my offer from another cheaper T20 school whose commitment deadline happened to be the same day she sent me the financial aid estimate.

Now looking back at the numbers more carefully, it honestly seems like there may have been a mistake. The aid amount looks way higher than what I realistically should’ve received based on my family’s finances, and I’m worried she may have accidentally overestimated my aid or even mixed me up with someone else, even though she explicitly used my name in the email.

Is there anything I can do here? Since I relied on the financial aid information she sent me when making my final college decision and declined another offer because of it, is there any chance the school would honor that amount or work with me if it turns out to have been an error?

I’m honestly really stressed because I don’t know what my options are if the actual package ends up being way lower than what I was shown. Any advice or similar experiences would be really appreciated. Thank you.