Financial Aid.

talha_adnan · 01-03-2009, 02:38 PM

For most of us, aid is the most decisive factor of attending a college. Many people say that admission decision also depends upon the amount of aid you ask for.

So, what are the chances of undergrad and international students getting aid at Bates?

Swedefish · 01-03-2009, 04:41 PM

Bates offers only need-based aid. They don't discriminate against international students with regards to aid. I find that people from families that make less than $30,000/year often get very good aid. The majority of the internationals I know have full rides. I had a mixed experience with aid. While I got the majority of costs covered, I still had to pay more than I felt I had the ability to pay, which mean I had to take out loans. My family income exceeds $100,000/year but due to a variety of circumstances, my parents weren't able to contribute according to their incomes. That said, there are also a fair share of people (Americans and internationals) who are made of money and don't get aid.

lala91 · 01-03-2009, 06:23 PM

If my parents make 25,000/year and there are four people in my household...do you have any guess on the amount of loans i would pay back each year?

Swedefish · 01-03-2009, 06:54 PM

It's impossible to tell. Each case is evaluated on its own merits. However, given your relatively low family income and the fact that it supports four people (I assume it's your parents, you and another sibling?), I would guess that you'd qualify for a lot of aid should they accept you. I know someone with a family income of $80,000 who graduated with about $3,000 of loans per year, so a total of $12,000. But again, it depends from case to case. My loans exceeded that amount by a LOT.

lala91 · 01-03-2009, 08:40 PM

do you know if it makes a difference if my parents have businesses? my parents own two businesses but we make almost nothing and the 25,000 that we do make...goes towards rent for the stores and food costs and etc...can that hurt or help? (if you know)

Swedefish · 01-04-2009, 03:07 AM

Sorry, but I am in no position to comment on whether or not having businesses will impact financial aid. There is a formula they use to determine financial aid whereby they plug in your family's financial data to figure out how much aid you would need in order to be able to attend the college.

talha_adnan · 01-04-2009, 01:44 PM

Thank you so much Swedefish!

Now that the apps are in, I'm really nervous about the college's decision. I can't wait till 1 Apr. I'm sure it must have been the same for you. There's still time to submit the financial aid application and I don't want to ruin the whole chance on that.