I got into Cornell ED last week and I just received my financial aid offer from the school. Turns out I don’t qualify for any reward. The net price calculator I used to base my decision of applying there estimated 33,000 in need-based grants. My family doesn’t have any complicated financial aid circumstances and what I put into the calculator was accurate. What should I do and has anyone faced a similar situation? Cornell is my dream school but I kinda feel cheated right now.
You can appeal; there is info and an FAQ here Appealing Your Aid Decision | Financial Aid
Assuming it isn’t a literal data-entry error, it’s not uncommon for there to be a discrepancy between what people enter in as assets on NPCs and what the institutions calculate from your FAFSA and CSS Profile. If that was the case, don’t expect a change unless you can demonstrate a serious reduction in present and future income due to illness or job loss.
I would do this immediately—their FA office does not move quickly. If you truly can’t afford to attend the ED is no longer binding and you can apply elsewhere. Good luck.
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If you run the NPC now, does it still show the same need based grants? If so, then print it out and keep a copy.
You can contact the Cornell financial aid office and ask about the difference. You can also appeal the financial aid decision. Make sure to stay calm at all times when talking to them, regardless of how difficult this is. I have heard that talking to the financial aid office is one of the few cases where the parents can make the call if you prefer, on the basis that the parents are expected to be the ones paying the bill.
You cannot count on getting more aid unless and until you see the offer. As such you need to have your applications in order at other more affordable schools.
For what it is worth, Cornell was my dream school when I was applying to graduate programs. I understand the attraction. I did not get accepted and went somewhere else. I loved the school that I attended instead, and eventually realized that where I went instead had always been a better fit for me. There are many very good universities.
My understanding is that finances is the only truly valid reason to refuse an ED offer. If you need to, you can back out on the basis that you cannot afford Cornell.
Did you submit both the FASFA and the CSS profile? If you did complete them, did you make sure that they were sent to (and received by Cornell)? It is possible that they didn’t get your information.
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Any chance your parents did a tax deferred retirement rollover in 2020?
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Has anyone else accepted to Cornell ED received financial aid offers? What are the details? We are still waiting.
What was your FAFSA EFC? (yes, I know Cornell also requires CSS Profile).
Are your parents divorced? Own real estate/land beyond a primary home?
If you parents make contributions to a 401K or similar plan, did you add those numbers back to income when you ran the NPC?
If you are comfortable calling the FA office (talk to a director, not the person who necessarily answers the phone) you can do so…but it’s ok for your parents to be involved in these discussions. You can send an email to FA, but ultimately will need to speak with someone. Not sure anyone will be in the office this week or next though.