Appealing financial aid

<p>Is there any way to do this? My family's FAFSA EFC was around $2200, but Northwestern expects me to pay $12,200 along with additional loans...so it doesn't seem like I can go with this aid package... =/</p>

<p>MY fafsa had an EFC of about 6,000, yet NU wants a family contribution of 36,000. It's awful. I'd like to know the answer to this as well.</p>

<p>i wonder if you can wheel and deal your package by telling them that Northwestern is your first chioce and you would go there if your need was met</p>

<p>Well it seems like NU reassessed my need up 10 grand...</p>

<p>dangnguyen: me too! my EFC was 0. I am expected to pay ~10,000.</p>

<p>Yikes, this sounds terrible. I'm really nervous about mine now :(</p>

<p>Yeah, the estimated contribution on the financial aid package was 10k more than our FAFSA EFC! What gives?</p>

<p>Heh, I'd be ok with 10k more. That'd still make it cheaper than Emory with their aid (I'm sorry, but 3,500 is NOT financial aid... ****ers)</p>

<p>that sucks. they expect me to come up with 5,000 plus the loans, which i think is about what my efc was. i'm really psyched since ive read rough stuff on here. im really happy. hope it all works out.</p>

<p>Yeah I was unhappy with financial aid from both Emory and Northwestern, both a lot lower than I expected. I was reading on the Northwestern website that there is a way to appeal if an extenuating financial circumstance comes up like a loss of income or something to that extent. I will call the financial aid office even though I do not have such as problem but I fear that nothing wil change.</p>

<p>ahh i cant log on and see mine... im scared... :0(</p>

<p>Anybody know yet? I want to give them a call and ask, but I don't want to sound too desperate...</p>

<p>Don't be afraid to call- the people in the fin. aid office are really nice and prompt. I was missing some forms and they were very helpful and friendly in answering my questions and telling me what to do!</p>

<p>So I called the NU Fin. Aid office about my appeal. It is a very complicated process for me and my family, especially since my dad works & lives in Germany. Loads of documentation, certification of finances, letters from employers, etc.</p>

<p>Can't I just say "School so and so is offering me $_______, would it be possible for Northwestern to match the offer?"</p>

<p>And let's say I do the appeal; if NU sees something, can they hike up my EFC even more? If so, I don't want to take such a risk...</p>

<p>This sucks...</p>

<p>^ Taken from the Financial Aid FAQ on the admit website:

[quote]
Please note that the committee does not negotiate financial aid awards and cannot respond to anticipated changes or comparison with the aid packages offered by other schools.

[/quote]
</p>