what if my parents want to use more than 50% of their life savings?

Paying for College
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<p>Would colleges take that into account? Or do they usually take only a very small % of parents’ savings when considering family contribution? How do I get colleges to use all of that 50% amount when calculating my need? Do I need to state explicitly that my parents WANT to use that 50% for my education?</p>

<p>it’s very important for me, since I’m an international applying to need-aware schools. My parents want to pay as much as they can so that I have a greater chance, and they’ve decided that that would be about 50% of their savings. They positively WANT to use that amount for my college education.</p>

<p>I’m an international, btw, so I’m not using FAFSA.</p>

2

<p>hi, does anyone know?</p>

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<p>I seem to recall the Profile asks a question about how much the parents expect to contribute to pay for college costs.</p>

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<p>would colleges use the figures that we volunteer to contribute? or do they just ignore the contributions and come up with their own figures based on our assets?</p>

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<p>I am sure that the colleges come up with their own figures. I bet research is the reason that they ask the question that you posted.</p>

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<p>oh… so whatever amount or % we volunteer to contribute from our savings will not have an effect when they determine our need?</p>

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<p>The colleges will calculate your need from a formula. What you volunteer has nothing to do with the calculation.</p>

<p>If, however, when you get your financial aid award, you feel it is too generous, you can refuse part of it to spend more of your parents’ savings.</p>

8

<p>oh gosh. what do i do? since I’m appplying to need-aware schools as an international i want them to take as much as i volunteer.</p>

<p>is there any way i can get them to take 50% of my parents’ savings? would an explanatory note do?</p>

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<p>screwitlah, I’ve never been able to follow your reasoning in these threads. Do you believe you will have a significantly better chance of acceptance at these need aware schools if you do not need aid? If you don’t need aid, why don’t you write them a nice letter and tell them so. And on the little box that says “are you applying for financial aid”…check NO. </p>

<p>I’m not sure where you are applying, but if you are applying to some of the more competitive schools, even IF you have the credentials for admittance, you have only a 10% or so chance of acceptance regardless of your financial situation. </p>

<p>I know you are trying to show the colleges that you can and WILL pay if you are accepted. But I’m not sure understand why.</p>