Anyone got their financial aid package yet? I got mine in an email…the numbers aren’t nearly what they should be, and we (my family) could, no way in hell, be able to afford this!!! WT*F??? When we did the net price calculator, we got a much lower (and hella more reasonable) “expected pay” number!!! Anyone else with this issue?
Also, when do we have to reply to Cornell with our decision as to whether we will enroll or not based on financial aid? If they can’t give us some leeway, I’m not going, case closed… >:P
@ArthurDent42 I think you have until mid January to deposit. You can give FA a call and see if they can shed some info on this for you. Sometimes NPCs aren’t accurate especially if your family owns a business. Don’t know if this applies to you or not. Last year, our FA package for our daughter was very very close to our estimate. Best to check with them.
@TiggyB62 Here’s our problem…we had a significant loss of income take place early on in 2015…and no we don’t and never did own a business…nonetheless, our CSS profile and our tax forms that we submitted are all based on 2014, prior to the loss of income…now, if I have to give Cornell the “yes” or the “no” by mid-January, even though the true financial aid is not calculated until mid-February…um…whaaaaaaaaat…that’s not fair, if there’s a huge change in financial aid numbers from this preliminary package to the real package based on February’s calculations and our 2015 tax forms/numbers…well…that’s absurd!!! I can’t really appeal, because the loss of income, according to the Cornell website, must have taken place after September 1st, 2015, even though it took place much earlier on…
Thank you for responding, you been a big help throughout this whole thread!!
@ArthurDent42 OK, so Cornell is reasonable. They don’t really want to lose students due to a financial reason. On the other hand, you did apply ED which is binding with the exception of affordability. If I were you, I would have one of your parents call and ask to speak with an FA officer and explain in detail your family’s circumstances. You owe it to yourself to do this right away. Did you ever send in an explanation of extenuating circumstances when you applied for FA?
@TiggyB62 Well, unfortunately I couldn’t contact Cornell today due to circumstances with my schedule (and, more importantly, my parents…). Also, the parent who filled out the CSS form and whatnot did not allow me to assist her (pronoun gives it away, I know) because she doesn’t trust me with our finances for some reason…I won’t vent about that with you but nonetheless I can’t be sure whether or not an “extenuating circumstances explanation” was sent to Cornell or not through CSS…I guess I’ll have one of my parents call them on Monday…I also have reason to believe that errors were made on the CSS profile, knowing my mother (not trying to hate on my mom here, I’m just stating what is most likely reality…)…so I guess I can appeal through the fact that errors may have been made…?
Gosh yesterday was awesome but today sucks…anyway, thanks again!!!
@Tryharding I wish that was true for us, but these numbers are beyond absurd, we’re paying well over half of the $66,000 in tuition with what they’ve given us in numbers and our income bracket is $80,000-$95,000!!! Is this to be expected???
@metacuber, Since ED is binding, you should withdraw all other apps right away. Last year my daughter sent an email to the admissions offices of her non binding EA schools when she was accepted at Cornell. However, I might add that some students wait until they receive their FA package from Cornell to make sure of the affordability before withdrawing. But if you know you are going to attend, then please withdraw.
Im still worried about my CSS Profile i made a mistake and sent them a certain exaggerated figure for sth …I feel like if i tell them they will think i am fraudulent(i did it so that i could get in then when i got in i changed it) and will cancel my Admission but if i dont they will give me an unmanageable Fin aid Package
What should i do
@ArthurDent42 Admissions told me before applying that all you have to do if you truly can’t afford it after the FA package all you have to do is right a letter explaining your circumstances and you’ll be released from ED. When I talked to them it appeared as though you don’t have to commit until you’ve gotten your FA package but I would verify that with them. Money was an issue for me too so they said that you can definitely be released from ED but basically don’t bother applying in the future for something like grad school because you’ve burned the bridge. I don’t say that to freak you out but that is the impression they gave me when I had the same conversation with them.
Does anyone know the chances of getting into RD from deferred applicants? I am confused right now, what should I do to differentiate my-self from rest of 40,000 applicants with about 14% acceptance rate. Do they take a lot of ED students who got deferred?
>:P