Applying for aid with a high EFC: pros and cons?

Colleges & Universities Dartmouth College
1

<p>Based on a guesstimated parent contribution of about $43k from the Dartmouth financial aid calculator, with an expected student contribution of $2500 or so, is there any benefit in applying for financial aid? For example, do current students find it especially helpful to be work-study eligible, or are there plenty of good part-time jobs without work study? Is there any other advantage to being aid-qualified, when one assumes the aid would take the form of “self-help” - i.e. loan or work - of only $5k or so? (Or does D ever award grant money at such a low level?) </p>

<p>Conversely, is there any risk that checking the financial aid box on an ED application could backfire, even though Dartmouth is need-blind?</p>

<p>Does secondary school tuition for a younger sibling have much effect on EFC? I didn’t see that on the Dartmouth calculator, and am wondering if that might give us a better number.</p>

<p>Thanks for any insights you can share!</p>

2

<p>The mentality we approached this with was that we have nothing to lose…I had an EFC of full contribution but applied for financial aid anyways, and we got an offer for a small loan. Dartmouth is need-blind for domestic students and I don’t see why they would lie about that, so the way I see it it’s entirely up to you and whether or not you want to fill out the forms.</p>

3

<p>Dartmouth is need-blind for admissions so file away. Many schools will make an adjustment for a sibling’s private school tuition, but not sure if Dartmouth does.</p>

<p>Another reason to file is that circumstances can change from now until Sept. – businesses get sold, the breadwinner gets seriously ill, etc.</p>

4

<p>I agree with Blue regarding filing for FA, because if there is a change in your financial circumstance, you can just go back and request a financial review based on your change vs. having to wait until the next academic year. Other than the time needed to fill out the paper work and the cost of filing the CSS profile, you have nothing to lose.</p>

<p>Dartmouth uses a combination of the federal and institutional methodology through the FAFSA and the CSS profile. The profile does ask whether or not you pay secondary school tuition for a sibling (medical bills that are not covered by insurance and taking care of elderly parents) so yes, Dartmouth will take it into consideration when putting together an aid package.</p>

<p><a href=“Home | Dartmouth Admissions”>Home | Dartmouth Admissions;

<p><a href=“Home | Dartmouth Admissions”>Home | Dartmouth Admissions;

<p>Dartmouth states:</p>

<p>

<a href=“Student Employment”>Student Employment;

<p>In short yes, if your student wants to get a job while attending Dartmouth, they will be able to do so.</p>

5

<p>Thanks so much; this is very helpful!</p>

6

<p>I also think you should apply; you don’t know what’ll happen in following years and the general word on the street is that it’s harder to apply for financial aid if you didn’t apply your first year.</p>

7

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<p>This only pertains to international students (with the exception of Canadian and Mexican residents) where Dartmouth states:</p>

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<p>Page 19 of the Financial Aid Handbook</p>

<p>U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents along with Mexican and Canadian Residents must reapply for financial aid each year.</p>

<p>U.S. citizens and Permanent residents must file a New FAFSA and fill out the school’s renewal forms (submitted through IDOC) each year if they are applying for aid.</p>