How does ED work?

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
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Here’s a step-by-step:

  1. Run the net price calculator for the school in question (what is it, by the way?)
  2. SAVE the INPUTS and the RESULTS of the NPC. Screen shot every page. (Of course, if the NPC says you will get no financial aid, it’s not necessary to save it lol.)
  3. If your parents cannot afford to send you to this school based on the results of the school’s NPC, DO NOT APPY ED.
  4. If your parents say that they CAN afford the price resulting from the school’s NPC and you are 100% sure you want to attend this school, apply ED. Good luck!
  5. If you are accepted ED you will receive your financial aid decision at the same time as the acceptance letter or a few days later.
  6. If the financial package is same/similar to the NPC results, congrats! Your ED is binding, and you are going to this college. You can now withdraw all other applications and send your deposit to your ED school.
  7. If the financial package is significantly different from the NPC result, call the financial aid office immediately and discuss it with them. Show them your inputs and results of your NPC and ask why the offered financial aid package differs. Ask if they can match your NPC, as you were relying on that result when you made the decision to apply ED. DO NOT withdraw your applications to other school yet!
  8. If the financial aid office agrees to change your financial aid package to match your NPC result, congrats! You are going to the ED school. Send your deposit and withdraw your other applications.
  9. If the financial aid office DOES NOT agree to change your financial aid package to match your NPC result, you and your parents have a decision to make: Can you still afford this school or not?
  10. If you CAN still afford it, congrats! Send your deposit and withdraw your other applications.
  11. If you cannot afford the ED school because the financial aid packaged offered is significantly different from the NPC result that you relied on, you will have to politely explain that to the school and ask to be released from the ED contract. Do not withdraw your other applications.