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Things I wish I didn’t Overhear in the Financial Aid Office
“How much is my bill?”
“What’s my expected family contribution?”
“When is the deadline for paying my tuition balance?”
What’s wrong with these questions? Nothing, except while I waited in line at my university’s financial-aid office last week, I could hear other students asking all of them, along with answers laden with private information. I’m all about on-campus bonding, but should I, or anyone, be able to hear any of this stuff? Not to mention be tempted to repeat it?
The New York University financial-aid office, like many others around the country, is designed to mimic a bank. The tellers are on one side, and the customers are on the other. Except that transactions that should be private are sometimes completely audible to bystanders. Sometimes lines snake around and put you only a few feet away from a student discussing personal financial issues. Not only is this a breach of privacy, but it also puts you at risk for identity theft.
John Beckman, head of NYU Public Affairs, told me that the financial aid office was designed to offer privacy like a bank does and that private rooms are available if students wants more privacy. Anyone — at any school — who’s stressed about snoops shouldn’t be shy about requesting a side room. It’s also possible to talk to financial-aid officers by phone or via e-mail.
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Remember, when you send something in email, *eveyone* on the internet can see it - think of it like you’re sending a post card. Unless you encrypt your mail, there isn’t any privacy here.
Having said that, why would it matter if someone overheard your balance / family contribution or deadline? Credit card #’s, soc sec #’s and the like I can understand, but not the former.