<p>Umm…what about international students? I just got into Illinois Wesleyan, they offered me $24,400. which means I have to pay about $19,000; even though my parents indicated that we can pay $5,000 on the Collegeboard International Students fin aid forms?
Is there a way to negotiate for more fin aid?</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>Financial aid isn’t based on what parents say that they can afford, otherwise parents would always indicate a low amount. “Need” is determined by income and assets. But, either way, most schools cannot meet need. Also, it’s hard for schools to determine the real “need” for internationals since it’s difficult for schools to verify info.</p>
<p>As for negotiating for more aid…what financial info did you provide to the school? What are your stats?</p>
<p>You probably can’t “negotiate”, anivick101, but you can ask for reconsideration. You, or preferably one of your parents, should call the financial aid office at IW and have a direct conversation with one of the counselors/officers there. Your approach should be that you are very interested in attending, don’t feel you can with current numbers, but are looking for ways to “bridge the gap”. You might also review the data you provided to see if there has been a change in your circumstances since it was submitted or if you overlooked some additional factor (medical expenses, sibling school costs, etc.) that merits additional review. There is every possibility that a conversation might clarify or discover situations that will get you more aid.</p>
<p>What is URM? Just curious…</p>
<p>under represented minority ( i think)</p>
<p>ekity is correct… URMs are not Asians. URMs are African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, and perhaps a few other groups that I can’t think of .</p>
<p>However, in some areas of the country, Hispanics aren’t URMs, either. Some schools in NY, AZ, NM, FL & TX have many Hispanic kids.</p>
<p>Ugh…I looked at mine today. Both my parents’ income put together is like almost $150,000 and pay like almost $20k in income taxes. We live in north NJ, which is notorious for high taxes and expensive cost of living. They gave me an EFC of $31,168. I have no savings or anything, so I don’t even know how this is possible. I know my parents could NEVER just have that much money available for a year.</p>
<p>^yeah, I live on the border of NY/NJ so I know what you’re talking about. =(</p>
<p>I just got a financial aid estimate letter from Dartmouth today with a package that is higher than my EFC but still extraordinarily generous. Dartmouth offered a scholarship grant that is actually greater than the cost of tuition, though I still have to pay some room and board and the student contribution. Still, after reading this thread I really can’t be more grateful.</p>
<p>Ugh…I looked at mine today. Both my parents’ income put together is like almost $150,000 and pay like almost $20k in income taxes. We live in north NJ, which is notorious for high taxes and expensive cost of living. They gave me an EFC of $31,168. I have no savings or anything, so I don’t even know how this is possible. I know my parents could NEVER just have that much money available for a year.</p>
<p>Did you apply to any financial safety schools? How much have your parents said that they can pay each year?</p>
<p>I thought URM meant Unaccompanied Refugee Minor. Which is someone under 18 who’s in a refugee camp somewhere in the world–or someone in the US who was in a refugee camp (or attained official refugee status) and has been fostered by a family here. </p>
<p>(it does of course mean that, but I guess it could mean underrepresented minority too).</p>
<p>Does it seem strange at all that my EFC is about $20,000 when my parents’ combined income is ~$200,000?</p>
<p>Yes. Something’s wrong there.</p>
<p>*Does it seem strange at all that my EFC is about $20,000 when my parents’ combined income is ~$200,000? *</p>
<p>Something is wrong… Did your parents subtract something that they should not have? Some think they are supposed to put their net income, and that’s not true. </p>
<p>A $200k income should have an EFC of about $54k.</p>
<p>Unless there are more than 1 child in college.</p>
<p>Had an EFC of 329 using estimated figures. After correcting, I now have an EFC of…</p>
<p>0.</p>
<p>Hell yeah.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Trust me, it’s hardly a blessing… unless you are an HYPS caliber applicant, in which case, congrats!</p>
<p>I used the CC financial aid calculator today and my EFC was over 33K, but my EFC for the real thing (FAFSA) was wayy lower. Weird? I entered in the exact amount I did on the fafsa.</p>
<p>I wish my parents didn’t just sit on their money…
My EFC was >99999
god im just not going to get anything…</p>
<p>^^^
Think of all the money you’re going to inherit…someday.</p>
<p>*I wish my parents didn’t just sit on their money…
My EFC was >99999
god im just not going to get anything… *</p>
<p>Then your parents can afford to pay for your education.</p>
<p>Can pay and will pay are two completely different things</p>