<p>On December 10th, Harvard announced that they would boost the amount of financial aid being offered to middle-class families (Harvard</a> to boost aid with formula, clear confusion - The Boston Globe)</p>
<p>Do you guys think Columbia will follow up on that? I know Yale said that they would be announcing a new financial aid policy in January similar to Harvard's. But my goal is to be admitted to Columbia not Harvard so it is important that Columbia take note!</p>
<p>Well, given John Kluge's recent donation of $400 mill (upon his death), I definitely think they'll start a new financial aid initiative within the next 2-5 years</p>
<p>How Morbid ;) Maybe, but our endowment is now 7.2 Billion...a far cry from Harvard's :(</p>
<p>1) Harvard has more money than god. They have no idea what do with it. So, you get "Dear teh Ivy League: All your talented applicants are belong to us." Columbia just isn't in HPY's orbit in terms of resources.</p>
<p>2) Columbia doesn't get Kluge's cash until he croaks.</p>
<p>Not anytime soon.</p>
<p>The big finaid thing last year was the no loans for families under 50k (so many loopholes in this). Hyped like crazy on Spec, bwog, etc. by people who probably don't even qualify. I qualify, and got less money this year than I did last year! I, ah, brought my considerable charm/indignation to bear, and eked out some more...</p>
<p>I will not be donating.</p>
<p>Musil, I can relate. But therein lies the problem - you have to wheedle the money out of them because there isnt enough to go around, because there aren't enough donations. Hmmm.</p>
<p>Yeah that is very true, but on Columbia University's website (under their financial aid FAQs), Columbia</a> University Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid and Educational Financing - Frequently Asked Questions, they mention that they would be willing to "reconsider" their current financial aid package if another instituion were to offer a larger need-based package. That makes me wonder if they would be willing to reconsider my package, if I were to get a better deal from Harvard or Yale since they are adopting a new policy that is still need-based, but much less stingy towards middle-class. Of course this is a completely hypothetical situation, assuming that Columbia does not edit their own financial aid guidelines.</p>
<p>Confucian, I'm fully aware of the fallacy, but my indignation must express itself somehow.</p>
<p>:::Laughs maniacally, while running imaginary, future gold bullion through fingers:::</p>
<p>But seriously--if Columbia expects more in donations, it needs to be more generous to those in need (ahem, me).</p>
<p>Think back to Kluge. He came from an immigrant family, Columbia gave him a full ride, he got rich, felt thankful, and donated a huge sum.</p>
<p>When I graduate with debt--when I could have graduated from Harvard nearly debtless (curse you ED)--I'm not going to be feeling very thankful and willing to donate in the future.</p>