<p>You can always appeal decisions, which may boost you based on specific needs that cannot be addressed in the FAFSA.</p>
<p>According to the FAFSA, our EFC was around 8k - but NU expected us pay $17,000, with some of the covered stuff coming from loans, so in the long-run more. We appealed it down a little bit and worked the staffords, but we really have to stretch and work and take out PLUS loans to cover all of it, so it is rough. However, an alum mom I’ve talked to says aid tends to go up if your family situation stays the same, because you’re paying out of pocket and have less in savings, etc. You reapply for aid every year, and can always appeal, so it may change. It may be that you should shoot for a school that offers merit-based aid; at the same time, if NU is important to you, they DO give out good aid packages to many students (remember, the table is based on averages - so many get above and below the listed number, my package is above the one listed for our bracket), so you might not have to worry.</p>
<p>If NU is definitely a school you want, apply. Don’t hesitate to apply just because the tuition is hefty. You may get a great package and not have to worry - it’s just another part of the decision making process when it comes to apps.</p>