<p>What are people's thoughts about asking for waivers on the application fee to each of the boarding schools we are applying to?</p>
<p>As with most, cash is tight and if it changes absolutely "nothing" with the way a school looks at us then I'd rather ask for them. On the otherhand, I really don't know what kind of income determines who is eligible, etc. I made right at $50,000 in 2011 and YTD in 2012 I have made $120,000. Thus, if they base it off my last year's tax returns, my sense is there is no problem. On the other hand, if I ask for the waivers and then when March rolls around, and we are asking for FA, could you see anyone in admissions or FA department thinking to themselves, "Why did this family ask for a waiver when the breadwinner made over $120,000 in 2012?" </p>
<p>One $50 application is one thing, but 10-12, totaling $600-$800, airfare for 3, hotels, etc in total just to interview and tour the schools is going to cost $3,000+. Plus, we'll even have to factor in warm clothing... which we'll do on the cheap side. Is it a bad idea to ask for waivers on the application fees? Is this common practice or is it only done by folks below the poverty line?</p>
<p>If it is viewed upon in a negative way by "anyone" I'd rather just add it to my credit card debt. It's not worth not getting in because of $600-$800.</p>
<p>I do too. The financial aid will be based off of your 2012 income. There are places on the form to explain unusual events (for instance you got a large bonus this year but don’t expect it in 2013). The fee waivers are mostly for families where income is very low. They don’t consider $50 x 12 schools, they consider whether $50 to apply to “Their” school is a burden. Sometimes they also waive it if the student is coming from a target school they want to recruit at (but that’s rare).</p>
<p>And yes - the cost of touring and interviewing is high. You could ask to do a SKYPE interview which will cut down costs, but that means you won’t have a campus tour.</p>
<p>Trust me - everyone has sticker shock. But it is what it is. Many parents can’t afford to do an interview tour so that is not unusual. But asking for an application waiver at $120,000 income is a red flag about motivation in an already crowded pool. </p>
<p>At your income level, however, chances are - if your child is accepted, the tuition scholarship will be substantial depending on your other circumstances. Just be sure to indicate if the new income is predictable, or one time anomaly when you fill out the PFS form for financial aid.</p>
<p>Do you think the school you are applying to is going to be sympathetic about granting you a waiver of the $50 application fee because it is expensive to visit and apply to their competitors?</p>
<p>With $120k family income, if you are already balking at the cost of a $50 application fee, then brace yourself for the cost of actually attending the school. </p>
<p>Once you matriculate, you will be looking at:
airfare costs for Thanksgiving, Winter & Spring Break
ground transport cost from the school to the airport
airfare/hotel for parents for Fall & Spring parent weekends
not just one cold-clime outfit, but an ENTIRE wardrobe
<p>URMTop - One thing to consider: I booked two r/t tickets on Southwest, got a rental car out of Boston for 4 days, and booked one hotel night in each of New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. And they were nice hotels. Our bill didn’t come anywhere near $3,000. Even adding the expense of a second trip/tour to get to New Jersey, I’m still not arriving at that figure. If you’ve read all the other threads, you’ll realize all the parents on this board - including many with incomes that are higher than $120,000 are economizing. So I think you’ll find the answers by searching the threads from last year.</p>
<p>But one note of warning - there are parents here who are “comfortable” but aren’t funding their retirements, and have cut back on luxuries AND necessities to make this work for their students. There are an equal number of parents working at low wage jobs or who have been hit hard by the economy who are also finding ways to make things work. Which is why you’ll risk “blow back” from them if you ask about special consideration at that income level. :(</p>
<p>URMtop5: I would also add that you mention the income earned by the family “breadwinner.” Does this mean there is a non-working parent? I think most schools expect both parents to be working or seeking work in families applying for financial aid, unless there are outstanding reasons like caring for an older relative or a very young child.</p>