Crumbs

Just sitting down with the form and not sure how to fill out a question. According to the online calculators, we are estimated to get $0 in aid. Go figure! However, we've been told to fill out the financial aid forms because "you never know" and we might take loans.

My problem is the question that asks how much we expect to pay for tuition from all sources. We probably have enough to pay the full tuition, but do you say that? Are we shooting ourselves in the foot for any aid/loans at all?

Should we just uncheck the "Are you applying for financial aid?" box? We are completely in the dark here! S is applying ED and I don't want the aid request to hamper his chances. But I think we should at least TRY. Yes?

Thank you!!!

happymomof1

No one knows what that information is used for. Pick a number that represents what you'd be able to pay without having to tighten down your budget too much, and include it.

The college/university will decide how much they think you can pay, so if they conclude that you should be full-pay, filing the aid application won't hurt you at all.

Crumbs

Really, you can pick? Is this like buying a house?

I wouldn't want to out down a # that's too low and then have that affect admission.

emeraldkity4

I don't think it generally affects admission, perhaps they use answers to gauge how much parents know about the process. How much have you budgeted?

anouilh

I don't think that number is going to affect anything at all. (Then why do they include it? Welcome to the maddening world of financial aid applications.) I wouldn't put that you expect to pay full price if you are hoping to get some aid.

There are a few schools which do take need into account when you apply. They would be schools that guarantee to meet the financial need of all students who are admitted, but don't quite have the resources to do that without making sure they have some full-pay kids in the mix. This a very small group of colleges. You could call the school in question and ask what their policy is.

Here's a link to an article that explains "need aware" vs. "admit-deny," if you want to get a sense of how it all works:
Colleges Where Need for Aid Can Hurt Admission Odds - US News and World Report