<p>Hi, I've been accepted early decision and been given estimated financial aid package based on last year's tax returns. This year, my family's income has changed drastically but there is no way to tell how much more need-based aid Rice will provide until the spring. I absolutely LOVE Rice, but it's really hard for my family to pretty much sign a "blank check" of sorts by enrolling by Jan 2. I have a full ride to a local university and am planning on going to grad school after. my parents don't feel a Rice education is worth the money since a grad education is more important than an undergrad and don't understand the enriching aspect of attending Rice. What do you guys think? What should I do?</p>
<p>This has been covered extensively here:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/826733-decline-early-decision-acceptance-offer.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/826733-decline-early-decision-acceptance-offer.html</a></p>
<p>You know, this is the kind of consideration and evaluation that should have occurred when you were deciding whether to apply ED or not. If the financial circumstances have changed after you applied ED, you should have let Rice know to change your application from ED to RD.</p>
<p>Contact the FA office and let them know the changes. You can give them adjsted draft forms to look at now. It’s almost the end of the year and parents should be able to give pretty good estimates for the forms. If that changes your aide package you’re set. If not and you cannot swing it, it is a reason to withdraw ED after acceptance.</p>
<p>You need to contact the Rice’s FA office. As long as you can document your families financial situation they should adjust your package. I know a student his family income dropped form $200,000 to less that $50,000 his FA package jumped from zero to over $36,000.</p>
<p>Dear Rice and Curry
I’m a Rice grad and a mother of a current Penn grad student. After Rice, I landed a full fellowship in Engineering. My grad school education cost me nothing and in fact I was given enough money to pay for my apartment and food. As for my daughter, same deal. This is not unusual for grad schools. Great students are often offered money for PhD pursuits. Not the same deal for Med School, Dental School, Business School and Law school which are all very expensive. So if you are considering a PhD, you should probably check this out and reconsider spending the money for Rice. It is an extraordinary education.
Good luck!!!</p>
<p>Rice and Curry… Any update on your situation? My son has the same issue. Did you “decline” the Rice ED? If so, what happened?</p>
<p>I have to say, a thread like this is really frustrating for those of us whose kids were encouraged by coaches to apply ED and DIDN’T, because we knew we couldn’t commit due to financial considerations. Their chances are decreased because they were honest, and then others seem to have no conscience about going back on their commitment.</p>