<p>Hello all. I am an international freshman applicant to Yale College Class of 2016. My dad used to own and run a successful business until very recently, and a couple of weeks ago, he succumbed to the financial situation of his company and his business closed down, which makes him currently unemployed. I applied for financial aid (income: less than 60K/year) so they know that I have financial need and everything, but should I still contact them and let them know that this has happened recently? This is still really despairing on my part but I can sit myself down and write a non-emotional letter to the committee. Would this hurt the rest of my app or anything?</p>
<p>It won’t affect your eventual acceptance or rejection. Yale is need blind for international applicants – an amazing feature. But you should update Yale FinAid ASAP. It’s reality. But it won’t hurt your chances.</p>
<p>@T26E4</p>
<p>Thank you! Should I contact the Admissions Office as well to update my Common App, which currently says that my dad owns and runs a business?</p>
<p>You definitely should inform the fin aid office, since this will affect your demonstrated need I presume.</p>
<p>About the Common app, not sure about that (T26E4 is a much more reliable authority than I am :P)…</p>
<p>But I don’t think there’s any question of you keeping this from them…=D</p>
<p>The OP applied for financial aid already. His family income at the time was less than 60K, which indicates an automatic free ride if he is accepted. His situation now (no income), wont change the money awarded to him. In which case why confuse the issue with a potentially – “This is still really despairing on my part but I can sit myself down and write a non-emotional letter to the committee” – emotional letter?</p>
<p>@mhmm</p>
<p>By emotional letter, I guess I meant something… hmm… not so much of a histrionic email but rather something that appeals to the readers’ emotions, if that makes sense. Like I think I can detach myself from the situation and say something like, hey, this is what happened in the past few weeks, thought I’d let you know. Bye.</p>
<p>Again, I am thinking that maybe I should contact the admissions office as well as the office of financial aid because I already indicated that my dad IS employed and stated his position and all, but since he now is unemployed, all that has changed. I’m thinking that not informing them could potentially be against the honesty statement and all but I’d rather not have them know if that is going to adversely affect my admission decision. I know they are need-blind, but family background is a part of the common app, which they will take into consideration when they read my application.</p>
<p>
Define what you mean by “free ride”. We are in the same income bracket and my son, like all students, has a $1500 student contribution and a $3000 self help that is subtracted from COA before any scholarships are awarded. Next year, the student contribution goes up to $2,750 from my understanding.</p>
<p>Kdog - this - Especially the last line - A financial aid award typically includes a need-based Yale Scholarship and a student contribution (which consists of a term time job and student income). Students are not expected to take out loans. Yale financial aid covers 100% of demonstrated financial need for all undergraduates.Good News on Cost of Yale Financial aid is based on the total cost of attendance: $55,850 for academic year 2011-2012, which includes tuition, room and board, books and personal expenses. Families whose total gross income is less than $65,000 are not expected to make a contribution towards their child’s Yale education.
And before you jump down my throat - its not unreasonable that a student does work-study during the year and contributes $1,500 towards education.</p>
<p>
Wow, you inferred a lot by my post. I was merely asking for your definition of a “free ride” as many assume it means everything is covered with no cost to student or parent. Believe me, I have a D from the local public who considers loans as “meeting need”, so I am VERY grateful for the fin aid award from Yale. Sorry you misconstrued my question.:(</p>
<p>P.S. My son works 10 hours a week to pay for his books and personal expenses so I know it’s NOT unreasonable.</p>