Will do. Was just hoping to hear from RPI parents about their actual experiences with need based aid.
From my talks with some fin aid depts- it’s always a bunch of “we make evey effort to keep packages consistent” etc etc Nothing definitive.
With my post, I was hoping to get some anecdotal evidence from current or recent RPI families since the Facebook parent groups have not accepted my application to join.
Dang - that’s nuts to do to someone. I get when income, siblings, etc. change but that’s crazy.
But sure enough, they do say so. Start on page 6 linked below. Crazy business model to only guarantee one year.
The question for the family - is that risk worth it when other schools are out there? I don’t know your budget or exact needs but there are still schools taking apps and buying kids in because they need some revenue.
Good luck
Agreed but money is a part of fit. And you never want to harm to the point of truly damaging the family finances. Truth is, kid walks on campus on day one and you don’t know if it’s the right school or not. You just think and hope it is but all kids will find bad roomies or profs or food, etc.
UMASS sounds like the top choice - and it’s as different from these two as….well these two are from one another 
So not sure what might fit best - but hopefully your son finds that right one.
Not a fan of WL but last year they took 2300 off - about 30% of those who are on but you never know how many they wanted to take. They likely get a ton of nos and have to keep going. The year before they took 1100, about 1/6 of those on. Not a fan of WL and the process but they seem to pull - so you never know.
Good luck.
I think it stinks (the finances) but hopefully you are able to handle the situation.
As an alum, I was a recipient of need based aid at RPI and it didn’t change from year to year. Great school!
That is good to know. Thank you.
Dropping the CSS Profile for subsequent makes me nervous. I’m hoping they will allow me to submit the CSS even though it’s not required.
Just a note that my D26 just got an increase in her merit award today. If you wait longer before committing, you might get more merit money as well.
Congrats. We submitted an appeal about 3 weeks ago and received more merit about a week later. It makes year 1 pretty affordable.