Columbia and NYU financial aid

Hello everyone! I recently got admitted into Columbia (only 27k in aid) and NYU (full tuition scholarship so 55k in aid total). I have two questions:
Why would NYU be better than Columbia?
Do you know any financial aid appeals at Columbia that have been successful considering a loss in income since the FAFSA and CSS Profile were submitted?

Thank you very much!

The nice thing about that full tuition scholarship is that it’s not income dependent. It sounds like it was a merit award…is that correct? If so, that means your tuition will be covered (with increases) even if your family income increases.

Good luck. With the economic situation right now, many folks are experiencing a reduced or lost income.

Columbia gives only need based aid.

Contact Columbia and ask about a special circumstances consideration. You will need to find out what documentation you need, but at the very least your parent will need to show proof that he or she was laid off from a job. You will need to document any severance or pay received because schools want the whole picture.

Some colleges don’t process these types of requests for a waiting period because there is an expectation that the parent will find a job.

When was this job loss?

Call Columbia and ask…

Your net cost to attend NYU is the total cost of room and board…what is that? $19,000 or so? Can your parents afford that? And add to that personal expenses, transportation and books.

I would go for the scholarship. It’s guaranteed money for 4 years. If you and your parents can pay for dorms, food, books, etc, NYU sounds like a winner.