This discussion was created from comments split from: Should quadruplet brothers apply to the same prestigious universities?.
Hi all, I have a question about the CSS Profile and Aid. (I’ve already submitted it). For the FM sections, my bros and I listed the (projected) cost for college for each kid at his top school, each of which was $60000-$70000 (we didn’t put down the names of the schools though, just the price tag). And for the amount our parents would pay, we put our fafsa number, which was around $25000 (which times four makes me sick to my stomach). I explained the whole quadruplet thing in the “additional information” section. Is this sufficient information, or do I need to call/email and ask to change something? Also some schools request that we mail copies of parents’ tax returns by the 15th. Do I really need to make copies of that mountain of papers that is our tax returns and send it to the colleges?
Your parents have said that they will actually pay $25,000 for each of you?
Also, it may be a better idea to indicate a number that is no higher than the lowest parent contribution shown on the net price calculators of all of the schools you apply to.
I mean, the only reason we put that is we looked it up and said to put the fafsa number. Should I lower that? I read that colleges don’t really care what your parents think you can pay. And 25000 is around the NPCs said so. @ucbalumnus. It actually it asked the amount your parents pay for college for each kid, not how much they would be willing to pay. (technically they don’t pay anything right now, so we put the net price number).
It is possible that some colleges may do one of the following:
- If the amount given by the student is greater than what the college's usual financial aid calculations would indicate for a parent contribution, the college will use the given number, giving a worse financial aid offer.
- If the amount given by the student is slightly less than what the college's usual financial aid calculations would indicate for a parent contribution, the college may choose to preferentially package the aid or give a small merit scholarship to slightly reduce the parent contribution.
Of course, some colleges do neither. But you never know.
Now I’m worried. I just submitted it too… should I email and request a change? Also do I need to physically mail in the large amount of papers that is my parents tax returns?
Have you parents agreed to pay their EFC at the most expensive schools, even if you all got in? I’m now not understanding this application strategy.
Okay… so what I’m hearing is I should change it @ucbalumnus
This is the question in question as it is on the CSS profile “How much will your parents pay for this person’s education for the 2017-18 academic year?” So its not asking how much they WILL pay, not how much they are WILLING to pay, right? They aren’t willing to pay like jack squat, but if just wrote down what the calculator said. If the parents have high costs for each kid, wouldn’t that actually increase aid? @ucbalumnus
Will they actually pay that much?
If that’s the only way the school will take it, yes. Many schools that require tax documents have an upload function that allows you to securely send a pdf copy. Other options may be to fax it or send as an email attachment (not recommended for security reasons).
Look on all those college websites. You onlynsend the tax returns if the colleges require that they be sent. Otherwise…don’t send them. Some of those schools might use IDOC. If that ismthencase, yourmtax documents will go to IDOC, and will be transmitted to the colleges.
You need to check each website.
I want to check for clarity. Are you saying each of the four of you did the fafsa…and EACH of you got an EFC of $25,000? Is that correct? Did you indicate that four will be in college at the same time on your FAFSA forms?
I hope you and your siblings all applied to financial safeties where you would get large merit.
Did you apply early to OSU and Howard?
Just OSU, not Howard (don’t really see myself at an HBCU. My parents went to one, and they said “they would eat you alive” whatever that means lol. I’ve lived in a predominantly white community my whole life I guess). Plus, I likely wouldn’t get enough money at Howard… also, my bros and I got ROTC scholarships to our top schools (2 got Stanford, another JHU, me Princeton and Georgetown and UChicago). But, I still have my finical safties b/c I’m not sure that I would love it-- might change my mind.
@mommdc
And yup, that’s what FAFSA said @thumper1 (it wasn’t 25000 even, but close)
Like I said, attending these schools is still a pipe dream, but it’d be cool if we got into our top choices, even if we defer for OSU (a great school). And now, my parents won’t pay $25000 for each of us, we had a discussion and they basically said, “if you get a full ride or substantial moneys at say…OSU, and also get into PrestigiousU, then it’s worth it to pay maybe $10,000-$15,000 for each of you.” If there is a delta of money you left over, tough. Which is fine, imagine adding more than $60,000 to your yearly expenses! I don’t think it’s worth it to go into debt for college, so if I had to take out loans, I’d do the $5500 loan you can take out without your parents cosigning.
@ucbalumnus
FWIW, I aplied early at: Georgetown SFS, UChicago, U Mich, and OSU.
E@NikkuWadde Congrats on the ROTC scholarships! I hope each of you gets into one of those schools.