<p>Hey guys - everyone is excited about the new Vanderbilt expanded aid program, but
can you all really afford to shell out $52,000+ per year if you don't have a low EFC?
Have your parents saved the money or are you planning on taking out loans to cover your EFC? Vandy is our top pick, given the financials work out. We're very middle to upper middle income and it is way out of our reach from current income and savings (what is left!)
Just wondered most student/family plans about actually paying for Vanderbilt. Also, will
any of you consider your in state school as a financial safety if the numbers don't work?</p>
<p>I know of a kid who got accept ED. I don't know the family's income but after all of the fin aid package (no scholarship), he must come up with 25k a year, they basically pay half. Even at that, it is still serious money. My D got accept OOs large university, honors program, scholarship. She is going there this week-end, as she got priority, among ather high achievers students, to choose her classes for next year. It is affordable and at the end it will be less stress for her. She is aware that she will have to work hard to keep grades up if she want to attend Graduate school, as she will not have the big name (prestigious school) to back her up.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt has excellent need based aid, and it is not just for the lowest income students. You will get an award letter with your acceptance letter. Vanderbilt, unlike many schools, uses the full Cost of Attendance in its award letter. While some schools will list tuition, room, board, and fees in the letter then list the aid to offset the costs- Vanderbilt also lists expected expenses such as books, travel, miscellaneous personal, etc. then subtracts the aid. It's always important to compare apples to apples - make sure you compare the same costs for each school.</p>
<p>OP, im in the exact same situation, I applied to 4 expensive private schools and I am hoping for aid their but realistically I probably wont get too much.
Im hoping for enough aid to combine with a little nmf money to make one of the private schools affordable. If I dont get enough, then my plan is to call the fin aid offices and see how much more I can get using my full ride at state school (which is top 20 engr) as leverage. I heard that works, and I have heard of people getting as much as 8k more per year at vandy.</p>
<p>If all else fails i'll be at my state school.</p>
<ul>
<li>anyone else?</li>
</ul>
<p>I would respond to this thread if I could give a viable opinion.</p>
<p>Except I have a low EFC. =/</p>