<p>@chaos - what about those who choose to participate in no religion? Do they boost the FA packages of those? Or what about those people who are religious, but just choose not to donate money? This emphasizes the idea that there is absolutely no way to estimate packages based on donations, simply because it is a choice! So, if they gave you money, they would have to honor the choices made by those who do not donate and adjust their FA accordingly as well.</p>
<p>Actually, that is an extremely good point, Idiosyncra3y. I think this topic is very complicated, and maybe later I will type more, but right now I need to rest 
sorry just give me an hour or so :P</p>
<p>In other news, I dislike need-based aid in general, or rather higher income families having to pay simply because they make more money. I feel everyone should get the same amount of non-merit-based aid or none at all… but this is a very nuanced issue to be discussed in another thread at some other time. (:</p>
<p>OK, can’t nap, too stressed about FA lol It may seem like my family is very affluent, but we really can’t afford Yale at full price. Maybe we should have bought a smaller house; I don’t know. Our house isn’t really that big, but my school district has really high real estate prices because the public schools are really good. I really don’t know where all the money goes. Maybe it seems like a lot of money, but I assure you, after taxes, my sister’s tuition, charity, and my medical bills, we don’t have a lot left over. I’m so stressed about trying to find ways to get the money. I worked a lot this year, but it hardly seems to put a dent in what we expect to have to pay. :(</p>
<p>I understand the sentiment, Keellota, but I feel that people who make under $60,000 shouldn’t have to pay as much as those who make over $200,000. I am certainly willing to pay as much as I can afford, which is more than what other people can afford. I just want to be able to afford it.</p>
<p>Again, you have failed to address my point. You would make a great politician.</p>
<p>Idiosyncrasy, I understand how it would be hard to differentiate all those expenses. I suppose that’s what committees and policies are for 
I guess in the end, I just really want to be able to afford Yale. I can’t because we donate to charity. I am sad to think that I might not be able to go to my dream school…For the record, if I am ever a super rich Yale alumna, I plan to set up some sort of Yale scholarship fund for people whose aid is insufficient, no matter how much they make. I guess it would have to be evaluated case by case :)</p>
<p>Please, Jumper, I posted a response. I apologize if it does not satisfy you, but I cannot singlehandedly write a full thesis-length refutation to every point made by the several posters in this forum. I’m pretty much the only person arguing on my side. It’s easy for you because you have several people on your side which is perfectly fine, but please try to be understanding of my limitations.</p>
<p>And I would make a terrible politician because I am not a good liar. My OCD keeps me up at night lol</p>
<p>No, you responded to the post you wanted to. You have failed to give me a reasonable argument as to why those of us who choose not to follow any religion and who choose to NOT donate money should not receive a boost to our financial aid packages as well. Think however you want, but donating money is always a choice. As is not donating money, therefore it is only fair that either both of us get money, or neither of us do.</p>
<p>Jumper, why should someone who still has the money that would have been given to charity be given a boost? We no longer have the money we gave away. I think charitable donations should be encouraged, not punished.</p>
<p>Also, I DID reply to your post, you just didn’t like my answer or perhaps I did not explain it sufficiently.</p>
<p>My family chose to save money for college. Yours chose to give it away. It’s a priority system. However, the reason Yale or any other non-denominational university would never consider boosting financial aid is because following a religion, or not, is a life-choice, therefore if you value donating money to 3rd parties, then by all means. Just don’t expect sympathy from those doling out the financial aid.</p>
<p>My family did save for college…as much as they could, starting before they even adopted me…</p>
<p>I just feel like donating, religious or otherwise, should be encouraged. Becoming a teacher instead of a doctor is a life choice as well, but kids living on their mom or dad’s teaching salary should get more FA than if they had a doctor’s salary. My parents made a choice too. Just because it’s a choice doesn’t mean it can’t be taken into consideration. Everything is a choice.</p>
<p>No, not everything is a choice. There are an infinite number scenarios that can occur which could cause a family’s need to increase. One of the most obvious is this economy. Many have lost their jobs. Should their kid be denied a Yale education if admitted because their family is living on one parents’ income? Absolutely not. If you are given extra aid because your parents chose to donate money, could that kid be screwed out of some money they actually NEED because you wanted it? Quite possibly.</p>
<p>I understand your point, but I need that money as well. Yale used to give it, but this year it changed. They can afford it and still not screw over poorer kids, but for some reason that changed. My parents would say that it isn’t a choice, but a religious imperative.</p>
<p>Now that I think about, saying everything is a choice is a little ignorant. No one chose to be born into the circumstances that they are. Maybe they were born into a family which consists of a single mother for whatever reason, or their parents were unable to finish college and are stuck with low-paying jobs. Financial aid exists for the children who were not given a choice; rather, fate brought them into the environment they were born in, and if they have worked their ass off to get into Yale, nothing should stop them from matriculating, especially finances. So, you saying everything is a choice when you can afford to attend, but use the money for other purposes and are STILL asking for more, makes you look not only ignorant, but incredibly greedy.</p>
<p>Besides, most peoples’ income is determined by life choices, although there are exceptions. A teacher who could have easily become a doctor should be given more FA as should a rich family who is now a middle-class family because they donate money.</p>
<p>key word: ‘religious’. Blame your parents, not Yale.</p>
<p>By your argument, Jumper, I did not choose to be born into a family that donates money either…I approve of it for the most part, but still not my choice. And how is it greedy to want to go to Yale and to need more FA because my family donates?! Please stop attacking me personally or I will no longer respond to your posts. Stick to the argument, please.</p>