My bad as Op was looking at and applying to few OOS schools including Richmond
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Richmond is actually my second choice, so I’m hoping financial aid is what I’ve seen it claimed on their website.
What happened with this ED acceptance and financial aid?
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We’re at a standstill…my dad says we can make it work but he’s also banking that the FAFSA will change aid (I’m not so sure). He won’t talk to W and M yet either.
The concern I have is - and I can’t find it - but I read prior that the most W&M will give out of state is 25% of COA - so $16K.
You can call and verify.
You do have other acceptances that are affordable and would be great gets as well. So that puts you in good position. One is at - W&M supersized (Miami - not sure if you got Honors) and it’s in state.
In the end, dad will or won’t be comfortable with the $$ - but W&M is a CSS school so the FAFSA is not going to be relevant to them outside of federal aid (i.e. $5500 loan).
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I agree with everything you said and that’s my thoughts exactly. He just doesn’t see or understand that so it’s hard trying to talk to him about it
@Winsto7 if you accepted the ED offer from WM, you were supposed to withdraw all other pending applications and any acceptances. So…did you accept that ED offer?This would preclude you from further looking at additional colleges now.
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I accepted because the deadline is approaching and we still weren’t certain about the full financial picture.
hmmmm - that’s a mistake. Now you have to withdraw from all other schools.
Why didn’t you say to them - I’m excited to come to W&M but I cannot afford this.
Can we re look at finances to see if the cost can be lower?
If you accepted ED, in reality, that’s it.
You have other “affordable” offers - at schools you like - so I don’t understand the strategy here.
But best of luck.
I don’t know. Ive never done this before and I thought that if I didn’t submit the enrollment then my time would be past and i couldn’t submit it later.
I thought I could submit it and wait to see how things play out, that way my spot would be saved. Evidently that’s not how that works…
Are you saying you thought you could see how things played out at the other colleges to which you applied? If so, you are very wrong. If you committed to an ED acceptance, you are required to withdraw ALL other applications and admissions.
If this student accepted an offer of admission and sent in the enrollment deposit, he does NOT have any other “affordable options” to consider any longer.
I guess I am saying that, but I didn’t think about it that way…this is bad.
I know you can get out of ED if finances aren’t affordable, and I thought while I’m in limbo on finances for my ED school I could wait to see if anything else came in from other schools.
I guess I didn’t see any other options.
I didn’t realize the deposit sealed the deal…I thought that it wasn’t done until I get my real Financial aid from my ED school.
Others can weigh in…but my understanding is that once you have accepted an ED offer of admission…EVERYTHING else is off the table.
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So are you saying you haven’t declined these other offers already?
I think you have two choices here.
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Contact WM and say the finances don’t work and you need to withdraw your acceptance of the ED offer. Then you can consider the affordable options.
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Accept that WM is likely going to be above budget and discuss with your family how this will be funded. Maybe they have a plan.
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I don’t know this student’s exact situation, but his previous statement seems to indicate his parents want him to commit to W&M:
I feel for this kid who seems to be in a very tough situation, dealing with his (educated but possibly out of touch and overwhelmed) parents and figuring out what to do.
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If you go back and look at the ED contract, it’s pretty telling in actions to take.
In life, if you have a situation like this where not comfortable, best to talk in advance.
W&M limits funding OOS (as a Virginia supported school).
Furthermore, they have CSS so FAFSA won’t provide them with any knowledge but will be your gateway to a $5500 first year loan (which some schools deduct from COA but shouldn’t as it has to be paid back).
I would build an agenda - of your thoughts/needs - and then set up an appointment with W&M financial aid - and explain the concern - including that you are a quadruplet.
I would make this happen quickly - so you can undo the missteps made.
This should have happened prior.
But if they publicly state (I can’t find anymore), that the most you can get is 25% of the COA, you can ask to validate - and then if needed, back out.
In the end, school is a commodity. You can get the same great education and outcomes at the other more affordable schools you got into.
What you don’t want to do - and you can’t really know - it’s up to mom/dad to determine- is strangle the family financially.
I believe they did commit to WM…perhaps @Winsto7 can clarify this.
The FAFSA is unlikely to make an appreciable change in aid. The college has already awarded institutional need based aid based on the Profile. The most that could be gained from FAFSA is $7200 or so in Pell grant (if fully eligible which isn’t clear) and the $5500 Direct Loan for freshman year.
He does not have to withdraw apps/acceptances until he has a final FA offer that works for him.
Because there is no FAFSA transmission and no ISIR, schools can’t even make final offers, even CSS schools.
Shame on W&M for requiring an enrollment deposit before a final FA package.
ETA: to be clear, OP should NOT pull their other acceptances/apps.
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