<p>I have been accepted to Columbia SEAS as an international (Canadian)... However, the amount of aid they are willing to give is not sufficient.. my parents just sold the house so it looks like we have a lot of saving. in the likelihood that they're buying a new house in the near future, they will not be able to pay for my first year tuition, support themselves and my sister...</p>
<p>does columbia have an appeal process for financial aid? any suggestions on how i should approach this problem?</p>
<p>Any advice would be appreciated.</p>
<p>thanks.</p>
<p>Cashing out the equity in your house right before applying for financial aid is a real disaster (though sometimes real-life issues take priority over arranging your personal financial structure for aid maximization). Columbia uses the Profile and will see your home equity even if you buy a new house, but a big pile of cash in the bank looks very inviting to aid officers.</p>
<p>Columbia will review additional information that you submit - talk to your contact in the financial aid office as to how they want the information. Explain the amount that was realized from the sale and what will be invested in the new home, along with any other extenuating circumstances. If you got a better aid offer from another Ivy, bring that up too.</p>
<p>Frankly, I'd be surprised if they agreed to leave the "extra" cash out of their calculations. Aid officers are justifiably suspicious when it comes to events that haven't happened yet (e.g., "My dad's income will drop in December because his company is planning big job cuts."), and the probable purchase of a new home may look kind of tenuous. Rather, I'd expect that they might suggest that you request a mid-year review if your financials change in a major way.</p>
<p>Congrats on your Columbia acceptance, and good luck!</p>