CONFUSED about ED Financial Aid

thumper1
Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:53:12 +0000

I wasn’t sure of the deadline by which I have to inform the institution of my decision to attend or not attend if I am accepted under ED…>>




If you are accepted ED, you accept immediately and you are also required to withdraw any pending applications and other acceptances. With regard to financial aid…when you apply ED you KNOW the costs of the school…and you agree to go there if you are accepted and they offer you a financial aid package that meets your need. BUT keep in mind that the SCHOOL calculates your need…not you. If they calculate your need and meet it, then you have little to say regarding what they offered you.

Most ED schools have good finaid calculators or information regarding their aid. It is very important when applying ED that you understand the school’s financial aid awards…what %age of need is met for example…or if the school gaps students. Not every ED school meets full need…and that is something you need to understand also.

Re: comparing financial aid packages. If you are accepted ED, you are done. You withdraw other applications. You can’t compare the final cost of your ED acceptance school to other schools…you won’t HAVE any other schools. If you apply RD, or EA (EA is not binding), you have until May 1 to make your final decision. You may get accepted at several schools and you can compare the costs and financial aid between those schools and decide which is the best situation for you. You don’t have that option with ED…it’s that ONE school only.