My family just filled out the CSS profile. My parents indicated that I, the student, am expecting $12,000 from “other sources” (my grandparents, I think) and $0 from anybody else, including my parents. But our expected contribution is most likely going to be very high, full pay probably. I assume that if a college determines your parents can pay a lot then it just doesn’t matter?
If it matters, the Profile schools I’m applying to are: MIT, WPI, Northeastern, Harvey Mudd
(I’m applying to more affordable schools too)
It all depends on how each individual school that requires Profile has decided how to use each piece of data that is included. Some schools might completely disregard that information. Other schools might weight it in different ways.
@BelknapPoint Thanks, that’s what I figured.
To clarify, I am not expecting any increase in financial aid due to this, but it would definitely be nice…
To not likely that you will get additional need based aid because your parent says they are contributing $0 on the Profile.
Did you complete the net price calculator for each of these colleges? That should give you a pretty good idea of your net costs…which are largely based on parent income and assets.
If your parents will not contribute and do show the ability to contribute, your options would be merit scholarships or lower cost options such as public institutions and coop education (which adds a 5th year).
To my knowledge MIT does not offer merit awards. See WPI merit awards @ https://www.wpi.edu/admissions/tuition-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships-grants/wpi-merit and does have a co-op option (see https://www.wpi.edu/student-experience/career-development/co-ops). Northeastern pretty much founded the co-op option (see https://www.northeastern.edu/coop/students/), but I could not find any information on merit awards. Harvey Mudd has some merit money (@ https://www.hmc.edu/admission/afford/scholarships-and-grants/merit-based-scholarships/) but I could not find a coop program listing.
It is interesting to note that the four year program completion rate is considerably higher in private schools than it is in public schools. You might like to check out this address (https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/), enter the name of your prospective college and see if there are real differences in the four year graduation rates. This will not be a realistic metric for a school like Northeastern because of its high participation rate with the five year CO-OP program. Please note, more time also cost more money.
Good luck! :bz
How will you afford these schools with a high EFC …probably full pay… and zero contribution from your parents? You have to pay your EFC at schools such as MIT etc.
If you are applying to MIT… I assume you are also applying to some schools that will give you merit?
NPCs say we’d be full pay, although I think our financial situation is somewhat odd so they might not be totally accurate (income is low relative to the amount they have in assets, extremely high medical bills).
I know that WPI will probably end up being unaffordable but they offer some large merit scholarships so I applied anyway just to see. Northeastern gives up to 30k for NHRP, which I qualified for, although that still leaves a sizable amount of money to be paid. It’s unlikely I’ll get one of the big scholarships Mudd offers but since they exist I figure it’s worth a shot. MIT I know does not offer merit.
My more affordable options right now:
University of Pittsburgh-- accepted into engineering with a 25k/year scholarship
Cal Poly SLO (in-state)
San Jose state
University of Arizona-- qualify for a 35k scholarship (I think it’s automatic?). I need to get more info on this though, because it says WUE students aren’t eligible and I’m eligible for WUE but hopefully if I don’t use the WUE scholarship I could use the 35k? It’s cheaper to pay regular OOS with that award than WUE without the award.
I think I will most likely attend Cal Poly SLO, assuming I don’t get lucky and receive a large scholarship elsewhere (like the Harvey Mudd full tuition scholarship). I’m applying for industrial engineering which is the second easiest to get into engineering major at SLO.
I have good stats but no hooks, basically a boring semi-smart kid. 1560 SAT, 4.0 UW GPA, advanced course load. Also female and interested in STEM (engineering)
I’d put in a vote for Cal Poly SLO is you are more project directed in your thinking.
As you may already know, WPI appears to be very interested in leveling off the male/female ratio and feels that women have a fresh perspective to add to the design process. :bz
It seems that you have affordable options… good luck!
@DogsAndMath23 I believe the CSS asks for the amount paid annually for medical bills out of pocket? If your families medical bills are extremely high, then the CSS schools will most likely consider that. You could also fill out a special financial circumstances form if you get accepted to those schools. Good luck!