for my daughter, after academic pre reads we asked for financial pre reads. these were all at CSS schools and we needed a non custodial parent waiver approved. all agreed to meetings via zoom or phone calls with financial aid. all but one school had anticipated merit awards listed in pre read results. financial aid gave us estimated aid amounts, but would not guarentee an amount. accepted an offer, applied ED, given results with financial aid award within 1 month of applying (significantly earlier then published dates). FA award package was greater then initial estimated amounts. went back and asked for additional aid, that was granted. ended up with a package about 20,000 better then initial estimated amounts
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