Hey all,
My parents make a good amount (about 200k combined), so they don’t think we’ll get anything even if we do apply for financial aid. Would a good strategy be to apply for aid after acceptance so we don’t have to pay all these CSS Profile fees? Is this even possible? Any input is appreciated!
Thanks
Many colleges will not allow you to apply for aid after acceptance. And if it is a need aware school they will definitely not allow you to apply. They are on to that trick.
I agree with the post above, plus you would run the risk of them not having any money left to give even if you do qualify. A better way to approach this is to fill out the NPC for each college and see if you are eligible for FA or not. If you are then apply for it when you apply to the college.
Have you looked at the DEADLINES for submitting the Profile? If you wait until,after you are accepted, it is very probable that you will have missed the DEADLINES for filing the Profile for need based aid consideration.
And you certainly won’t have your financial aid award by May 1 when you have to make your matriculation decision if you wait to file the forms until after you are accepted.
If you want institutional need based aid…and plan to apply for it…do it adhering to the deadlines. Don’t wait until,after you are accepted.
Do you guys think I’d even get anything if my parents make a combined 200k for need based or is that too high?
Probably not, but it depends. How many will be in college? How close are they to retirement? Are there extenuating circumstances (huge medical bills, house burnt down, etc.)? Did they make that amount just for one year, while making $75k in previous years?
It’s generally not a good strategy to wait until you are accepted. Otherwise, why wouldn’t everyone do that? Unless financial circumstances change between the time you apply and the time you are accepted (parents lose their jobs, one of them dies or becomes disabled, etc.)