<p>I was accepted RD and received my financial aid package yesterday, but Cornell calculated my expected family contribution at ~$15,000/year higher than I can actually afford, which would mean that I cannot attend. I know that all the Ivies have strong goals for allowing all accepted students the chance to attend financially, but how successful will appealing the aid decision really be?</p>
<p>Do you have other AID packages, not merit, but aid as a comparision. Run your numbers through Cornell’s NPC and see where the issue is with your contribution. Compare with the FAFSA EFC.</p>
<p>Then find out who your admissions counselor is, thank him/her profusely for the admissions and ask for some help and direction in appealing the aid decision. </p>
<p>You do have to have grounds for appeal, not simply that your family can’t afford what is deemed their contribution. If your EFC is in the ballpark as is the NPC, and other financial aid offers, then the likelihood of getting more financial aid is very low, because quite simply you are not entitled to any more… For whatever reason your family cannot pay what is expected of them at their income and asset levels, and that really is not something a college should have to address. But if there is something to discuss, something of issue, you might be able to bring the gap closer and work something out. Good luck.</p>
<p>Well…is it that your family can’t PAY that amount or that is not in line with their income? If the family contribution is in keeping with your family income and assets, but your family won’t pay that amount, an appeal will be likely unsuccessful.</p>
<p>my expected family contribution at ~$15,000/year higher than I can actually afford</p>
<p>Aid isn’t based on what you can “afford”. It’s based on your family’s financial picture. </p>
<p>Did you run the NPC on Cornell’s site? If not, do so. Is the estimate similar to your aid? If so, then an appeal may not be successful. </p>
<p>Unless a large mistake was made, then if an appeal is successful, usually it’s only for a couple extra thousand…not close to $15k.</p>
<p>However, if you can get a few extra thousand, take out a student loan (is there one already in your package?), work over the summer, work part time during the school year, and be economical with personal expenses and travel, then you might be able to cover the shortfall yourself. </p>
<p>What is the breakdown of your aid? What is the breakdown of the COA?</p>
<p>See [Cost</a> to Attend 2013-2014 | Financial Aid](<a href=“http://www.finaid.cornell.edu/cost-attend]Cost”>Cost to Attend | Financial Aid) for COA</p>
<p>$61,618 a year!!</p>
<p>Did you get your financial aid package along with your official acceptance letter??</p>
<p>I got my official acceptance letter today too but it didn’t contain any information regarding financial aid.</p>
<p>“Selected students will receive an aid decision letter with their official acceptance packet. Students who are not selected to receive financial aid will be notified via email.”</p>