If you get admitted to a university/college, how do you know how much they are willing to pay for your tuition. So pretty much do they tell you in your acceptance letter that you've received a certain amount money/scholarship? Or do you just apply for financial aid? I never understood this.
If applying early decision, you usually get at least an estimated financial aid package shortly after learning you are admitted. Otherwise, for need based financial aid you submit FAFSA usually by some certain date which can vary among colleges but often by March 1 and they inform you of need based financial aid in March or April. As to merit aid, that can vary among colleges and within a college. For example you may be informed of merit aid at same time as need based aid but at the same college notification of a number of scholarships may be rolled out at anytime between Dec and March.
When you submit your initial application, you apply for Fin Aid separately as well. Otherwise, the school assumes you pay the full fees. Each college will have explicit directions for Fin Aid application
Your best source for information will be the college's website. Click on their financial aid information and check their particulars. FAFSA will need to becompleted as soon after January 1 as possible. Schools have later deadlines, but sometimes financial aid is doled out on first come/first served basis, so you will want to be as prompt as possible.
SOME schools announce merit scholarships as soon as the acceptance letter. Others have an application process. My kid had one that was automatic and another school that called her in for an interview a couple of months later. She didn't know her full financial aid package at either school until late March or early April.
And it's not so much a question of what the SCHOOL is willing to "pay for your tuition", but how much they expect YOU to pay for your education....
