<p>My DS has applied to selective colleges (including Ivies). I have used Net Price Calc. at three colleges and it is telling me that we will ‘likely’ not get any need-based aid. [I used fairly accurate 2012 est. inc and other nos.] We don’t have any unusual circumstances.</p>
<p>I thought we would be a border-line case but that does not seem true.
As an exercise to come to some decision, I tried changing nos. on calculators to understand the cutoff limits but it varies and no clear answers. </p>
<p>I am toying with the idea of “not” pursuing with FAFSA/CSS and all the paperwork.
That’s too much work saved to deal with multiple colleges (some of them have their own fin. aid supplements to fill).</p>
<p>Few questions (please share thoughts for all or any):
Is there any rule-of-thumb type cutoff nos?
I called Princeton Fin. aid dept and they said it is not necessary for you to apply before the admission decision. i.e. one can apply after April and still be eligible. Anyone with this type of experience?
Given the situation, is it still worth applying and putting in the work?</p>
<p>You should file FAFSA so that you can get the parent loan if you need some help, and also so your student can get the Stafford loan which is pretty much automatic. It’s good to have all of this done in case you need the funds. </p>
<p>The numbers can vary especially at schools like Princeton that have generous cut offs. I don’t know your other schools but be aware that some schools have a sit out period for gettting fin aid if you don’t apply up front. Make sure you ask about that especially if you have another child going to college in the few years and that might make a difference.</p>
<p>Thanks cpt… for your suggestion on FAFSA.
This will be our first child going to college in the fall, second (and last) is four years behind - wish we could have overlapped them :))</p>
<p>Check your schools. Some will not allow you to apply for institutional need based aid in subsequent years if you don’t APPLY as an incoming freshman. I think it’s worth doing because you really can’t predict what will happen financially in future years.</p>
<p>One thing to consider is that by not applying for FA is a hook for some schools, even at need blind schools. If you are only eligible for few thousand $$, would it be worth your while to give all of your financial information and lose that hook?</p>
<p>Once you fill out one, it is much easier to do the next. Some school have merit that is tied to need, obviously not Ivies, but I’d rather know I didn’t get any aid than wonder.</p>
<p>There is a huge dropoff in need-based FA between HYP and the rest of the colleges. If you thought you were borderline at other colleges, Princeton would probably give you good FA. I did the FAFSA, but didn’t bother with CSS/Profile because FAFSA showed an EFC greater than the COA at all the the schools my son applied to. When he was accepted at Harvard, we completed the CSS/Profile and were extremely pleased with his FA award. We were not able to get them the CSS/Profile until about May of HS senior year. No problems.</p>
<p>One tip: Keep copies of your FAFSA and CSS/Profile from year to year. You will need them.</p>
<p>Hat: I was looking for an experience applying FA after the admission especially at Ivies where FA is plenty available. Thanks for reply and your tip to save the paperwork.</p>
<p>oldfort: I had heard that UPenn (where my son has applied) is one of those schools where admission chances improve for non-FA students. Who knows if it is true or not!</p>
<p>I know it will vary from school to school.
Anyone came across cut-off income / assets nos. for Ivies? Any articles?</p>