RA's struggle with ND financial aid
Erin Pirotek
Assistant News Editor
Resident Assistants don't have glorious jobs. They give up two weeks of summer for training. They sacrifice Friday and Saturday nights to be on duty.
They clean up after sick freshmen.
They do receive $6,022 from the University for their duties. But of Notre Dame's 164 RAs, many of the 108 who receive financial aid admit that when they applied they didn't understand how the University adjusts aid packages to compensate for RA's income.
An RA applies for financial aid in the same manner as other students, explained Sue Brandt, associate director of Financial Aid at Notre Dame. The aid package is awarded without taking into consideration that the student is an RA.
Then, the RA benefit is deducted from the self-help portion of the aid package, reducing loans and the work-study component.
However, many prospective RAs mistakenly believe that their families pay less or that room and board is free.
For example, a student who receives a financial aid package containing work-study, loans and grants with a family contribution of $15,000 will not see a reduction in the cost the family must pay.
After the student becomes an RA, the family contribution stays the same, but loans and work-study components are reduced by $6,022.
The system has proven confusing for prospective applicants.
"It is misleading," said Pangborn RA Heidi Eppich, who was surprised to receive a new financial aid statement after being accepted as RA last spring. "My understanding was that my financial aid package wouldn't be affected."
Some criticize the logic of the policy.
"Since you're doing a service to the University, I don't think it should be deducted from the aid they give you," Wagner said.
Prospective RAs said the financial aid policy has kept students from applying.
"It should not go to the people who can afford to do it — it should go to the most qualified students," said junior Casey McCluskey, who applied for RA in Pangborn Hall.
Financial Aid representatives, however, said they make every effort to assist RAs.
"We think the RA position is very important and we would want to help them secure it," explained Sue Brandt, associate director of financial aid at Notre Dame. "The value of the aid package will be the same, but the components may be different."
Although some students believe scholarships decrease after becoming RAs, Brandt cautioned this is a misconception; scholarship awards are determined separately.
"Nowhere in our aid policy would an RA position reduce the student's scholarship assistance," said Brandt. "The factor that might be overlooked [by the RAs] is financial need."
Scholarship assistance could be reduced if parental income increases significantly, or a family has one child in college instead of two.
Students said more straightforward information from the University would be beneficial.
"I wish there would have been a question-and-answer session by Student Affairs," said McCluskey, noting that if students understood the process before applying, they would face fewer unpleasant surprises.
Wagner did note a positive aspect of Notre Dame's RA compensation policy.
"It helps them find people who are in it more for the dedication of serving others and not in it for the money," she said.
Although 93 current RAs had jobs last year, having another job is virtually impossible while serving as RA. The RA benefit does not help pay for the personal expenses that arise.
"None of us really have spending money," said Lyons RA Heather Schomann. Lyons RAs have suggested a small wage for the hours spent on duty, Schomann said.
All News Stories for Tuesday, February 1, 2000
