<p>I was admitted to Northeastern early action, and honestly, although I've gotten into more "prestigious" schools, it is my top choice for so many reasons.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I did not recieve enough money for my dad to let me go. While we are in a high income bracket, there are weird family situations that I don't think came through on the financial aid forms, like how my dad pays child support for five kids and alimony to two ex wives, as well as that he is putting my brother through school right now and supporting my other brother who has autism, so while we do have money… we don't see any of it, and there certainly isn't enough to send me to northeastern right now. </p>
<p>Also, although I have high stats (2220sat/4.0gpa), I wasn't invited to the honors program. Since I am going to be taking out loans regardless (it looks like it), my dad wants me to go to one of my other options, like Boston College or the Umichigan honors program (which is better than the northeastern honors program). </p>
<p>My question is: Is there a way for me to ask for more money in a polite way?? Can I appeal to have my application re-assessed for the honors program?</p>
<p>There is an appeal process through the financial aid office, I believe, though I have no idea what are your chances are of this helping.</p>
<p>As for honors, there are two things you can do. You could email honors directly and make an appeal. (There have been a few anecdotal reports of this being successful.) Or, you could join honors after your first semester or first year if you have a high enough GPA.</p>
<p>I would tell your admissions counselor exactly what’s going on, including NEU being your top choice despite other offers that you’re being pushed towards, and ask for a review of merit aid or financial aid. They will likely say no but it doesn’t hurt to try.</p>
<p>Yeah my dad went in and spoke with my financial aid officer today. There’s an appeals process that starts in April. You have to submit 2013 taxes and you’re reviewed by a financial aid board.</p>
<p>I will post an email I received from my financial aid counselor in regards to the same question I had. </p>
<p>“Thanks Chandler I’m behind with email due to the fact that may appeals have come in since last Friday such as yours, sorry for the delay. The only way the EFC could change is if I ask for your family tax information and all your investment in formation to verify the fafsa and profile. ** That could have an effect either positive, or in many cases negative where the award may be reduced.** That would be up to you if your wanting a change in efc for the 14-15 year. But the EFC is what the current offer is based for the 2013 tax year. Once the grant is determined, then its factored into the 8 academic semesters for the 4-5 year program. ** And federal aid may change in future years, but it will not change the NU Grant per term amount. So the award is the final offer. And we don’t compare to other schools offers due to our awarding strategy and annual budget. So we are firm in this current tentative offer of assistance. **”</p>
<p>[color=red] My advice: don’t ask for more because from what I gleaned from my conversations with my financial aid counselor, appeals usually have a negative effect on your EFC and you will probably get less. [/color=red]</p>
<p>I also reread your post, ** if you can afford UMich, which gives no financial aid (assuming you’re out-of-state) then you can most likely afford Northeastern since they gave you some money **</p>
<p>@SgtEllie I think your bring up a really good point, but @mymlior I would email your admissions councilor with the information you gave to us because that is stuff that obviously does not come across on the FAFSA. I’d just ask what your financial aid councilors opinion is about whether your appeal would be successful based on the new information you’ve given him/her.</p>
<p>@SgtEllie Thank you, that’s a really good point. Im working two jobs right now and my family is talking about selling the house. So while I could go to michigan, it would not be financially responsible, either for me or my family. </p>
<p>The problem with Northeastern’s offer is that they did not give me close to what my EFC said that I needed (if I am understanding EFC correctly)… i recieved less than 10k in financial aid, which I thought was abnormally low, and is less than one third of what my EFC suggests that I receive.</p>
<p>In this case, should I appeal?</p>
<p>@mymlior, you really have to take the federal EFC out of the equation. Virtually no private universities (perhaps excluding Ivy League) come close to the number on the FAFSA, ie., your federally determined EFC. At a private college, the FA office determines your need according to its own metrics. My daughter attends a private university known for generous aid, and our family contribution is triple the federal EFC.</p>
<p>You can certainly appeal if there are factors you are convinced were not taken into account. (I suggest starting with a phone call; the FA officer can open your file and talk off the record about whether these issues have already been noted or are likely to have an effect, before you file a formal appeal).</p>
<p>@snowdog Thank you! I’ll call right away. i was not aware of that</p>