So Duke, Vanderbilt, and some other schools have helpful checklists in the applicant portal so that I can see if they received and processed my financial aid documents (FAFSA, CSS, IDOC, etc.) However, some of the schools I’m applying to have no way for me to log in and check what has been sent and received (Yale, Princeton, Georgetown, UPenn, etc.). Is there a way to verify this information without me calling the financial aid office (I know they probably don’t want to be bothered right now with opening up someone’s file/don’t know if they can verify this info for me). I really don’t want to miss any deadlines. Will any schools email me on a certain date to tell me if my financial info is incomplete?
P.S. I put a number on my parent’s expected contribution that was like $800 but my parents EFC is like $200. I just didn’t want them to think I didn’t want to pay a lot to use the system but now I regret it because we could not pay it. We have no savings or properties. Do you think they will take that into consideration more or my EFC? Thanks!!
@thumper1 It’s hard to explain but I didn’t want to put a very low number at the time because I was afraid that these prestigious universities would see me as someone who is unwilling to make any effort to pay for tuition.
@misspresident
Most of the prestigious schools are need blind for admissions. This means that your ability to pay is NOT considered…at all…when your application for admission is reviewed. In fact, the financial aid office is in a different spot than admissions.
The colleges you listed in the OP to this thread are all need blind for admissions.
Even at need aware schools, which do consider your need…all that admissions gets is your NEED. They don’t see any portion of your Profile form (which is the one that asks how much you think you can pay).
@thumper1 Well I’m not really worried about my answers affecting my admission but my financial aid package. Like if I said I expect them to pay $800 even though its not really financially feasible for my family, will they make my family’s payment larger than it would be if I said $0?
The school will calculate your need based financial aid based on the school’s formula…and the financial info on your FAFSA and Profile forms.
Your aid will NOT be calculated based on what you “said” you could pay per year.
I’ve always considered that question an odd one … like anyone is going to happily admit that they want to pay a lot of money to go to school … and your aid package is not going to vary based on your answer. Maybe some schools look at it, but I suspect it’s not really considered by most schools. Don’t stress about your answer.
And if you want to know if your stuff is complete, call or email the aid office. We don’t bite! 