<p>Hello,
My son is an MIT senior, beginning his grad. school applications (for Fall 2012). In the MIT application’s Financial Aid section there are questions I’ve never seen asked before, primarily what the applicant and family may contribute to the average annual cost of $66000+. How are these questions to be answered? Only estimates, guesses, can be offered. I guess there is no standardized system as there is for undergrad. apps (EFC, etc.). Any thoughts/suggestions? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>He should probably talk with his department of interest to see how/if they’d like it filled out – for science programs, he will have his tuition paid by the department and will receive a stipend, so there’s no need for him or for you to contribute. </p>
<p>I don’t immediately recall whether I filled out a financial aid application at all. For some schools, it’s important because filling out the financial aid app will help the department put a student on a certain training grant or fellowship.</p>
<p>Also, for graduate school applications (but not for professional schools like medical/law/etc.) students with a bachelor’s degree are considered independent of their parents, so you should not need to put down your financial information regardless.</p>