Something in the Fine Print
Coming to Yale, I knew I would be well supported. I was a bit anxious settling under the label of “extreme need” student, but I chose to take it in my stride. “Yale was going to be there for me,” I thought to myself reassuringly. They did at first with a slightly rushed presentation that went over financial aid resources at Yale and the basics of personal finance. Then, the trouble came. It began prior to my arrival, actually, with Yale saying they would cater to my travel with a travel allowance. But they would only release the funds once I had gotten on campus, already placing an unexpected burden on my guardians. Eventually, we took out a small loan to allow me to physically get to campus. Then we ran into another hurdle. Prior to accessing the funds that I had been assured would be available to me upon my arrival, I was told I had missed something in the fine print. A slew of paperwork and sudden confrontation with complicated taxes stood in between me and paying my family loan back—all this happening in the midst of the overwhelming freshman camp Yale.
Personally, as an international student, I am grateful for the very fact that Yale has awarded me a scholarship enabling me to be here in the first place. Still, the process isn’t perfect and can definitely be refined. Effective communication prior to my arrival would have let me brace myself for the extent to which I would have to wait and the processes I have to go through to get my school allowances, job earnings, etc.. that eventually gave me financial sustainability at Yale. It especially saddens me to say that the very Financial Aid office meant to be there for me in this time proved unaccommodating and honestly left me feeling like more of a burden to the institution than an appreciated member. I deeply love and appreciate Yale, I hope it can do a better job of making students like me feel the same way.
Personally, as an international student, I am grateful for the very fact that Yale has awarded me a scholarship enabling me to be here in the first place. Still, the process isn’t perfect and can definitely be refined. Effective communication prior to my arrival would have let me brace myself for the extent to which I would have to wait and the processes I have to go through to get my school allowances, job earnings, etc.. that eventually gave me financial sustainability at Yale. It especially saddens me to say that the very Financial Aid office meant to be there for me in this time proved unaccommodating and honestly left me feeling like more of a burden to the institution than an appreciated member. I deeply love and appreciate Yale, I hope it can do a better job of making students like me feel the same way.
