<p>I've been freaking out lately about my schools and how my parents might not be able to afford any of them (except MIT, which is a long shot). So does CMU give good financial aid? Apparently my parent's EFC is around 11k, but would that be true for CMU? If so, I think we could manage that.</p>
<p>Search last year’s thread about this time/march/april last year.</p>
<p>I wrote an extensive set of posts on this topic.</p>
<p>I don’t know what you mean by “good”, but in short (re-read my posts) CMU is open about their approach. They do NOT aim to meet unmet need, there are only a handful of scholarships, most packages will contain grants, loans, work study-- and the key fact-- packages are designed to attract and build a diverse class of students – those who will be the next generation of leaders and scholars.</p>
<p>No-- your S or D doesn’t walk on water-- everyone at CMU walks on water. Harsh reality, only those who levitate over water will gain substantial scholarship. Most people will find their packages fall short of the difference between the COA and EFC by $10-$20k. CMU doesn’t attempt to dissuade or hide this fact and this is why they encourage people to submit early financial aid estimates (if yours is filled with grants – this is an early indicator that you are perceived to be a good fit for the school and will likely be admitted). In short, if your EFC is $10k do not expect a package of $45k in grants-- it’s not happening unless you are on their radar for various reasons. This might be b/c you were a finalist in some signficant academic competition, you have done some extraordinary or unusual community service and yes, there’s affirmative action-- if you’re a competent credentialed young woman and/or URM heading into CIT/SCS/MCS, you’re more likely to have an attractive package-- it is what it is. Don’t complain-- don’t shoot the messenger-- but remember, it’s a private institution and they are free to do what they want with their own money.</p>
<p>On the plus side – and to deal with the anticipated $10-20K shortfall-- see my post a few days ago in the thread someone wrote about CMU vs. free ride at Pitt (or anywhere for that matter), focus on tuition alone. The other part of a school’s COA includes books, social expenses, meals, housing-- all of which is discretionary and can be may thousands less.</p>
<p>Also, CMU openly bargains with students who have more attractive packages in hand from designated competitors. See earlier threads last year this time with the full report on which schools make that list–it varies by each school-- scs, cit, mcs, drama/art, etc. They don’t always match fully-- but anecdotes suggest they come up with more money.</p>
<p>Finally, and as also been written here-- CMU students have lucrative summer internships and there’s no comparison to other lesser known schools. Expect thousands each summer from jobs for students who are doing well academically.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, there will families who learn after the fact that they cannot afford CMU and that is always very sad this time of year.</p>
<p>Best of luck to everyone - only a month remains for decisions!</p>
<p>This is their approach:</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon allocates resources carefully and judiciously to the benefit of the high-quality students we seek to enroll in the university. Financial aid, viewed by many as an entitlement when federal resources were much more plentiful, is now awarded by institutions who must balance resources, goals and priorities while attracting the highest quality students. Here are the principles and practices we follow when awarding financial aid.</p>
<p>[Admission</a> > Principles and Practices](<a href=“Home - Computing Services - Office of the CIO - Carnegie Mellon University”>Home - Computing Services - Office of the CIO - Carnegie Mellon University)</p>
<p>So in short-- most of the population gets something and few in the class get lots.</p>
<p>[College</a> Search - Carnegie Mellon University - Cost & Financial Aid](<a href=“College Search - BigFuture | College Board”>College Search - BigFuture | College Board)</p>
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<p>I’m an international student and apparently CMU does not offer any financial aid to international students. Is there any way I could reduce my costs significantly, or otherwise?</p>
<p>You cannot change the tuition charge.</p>
<p>You can live off campus rather than in CMU housing and with a required freshman meal plan. Although, you need to check with the International Student office this could impact the student visa application.</p>
<p>If you already know upperclassmen from your home town at CMU, see about living with them as a freshman. It’s not the same experience, but you could cut costs by a few thousand dollars.</p>
<p>I don’t think you can work on campus either. Again check with international student office.</p>
<p>Is the collegesearch thing right? Bc by the way mom2012and14 and their site made it sound like they don’t meet need that often unless you do ED.</p>
<p>Thes012 – I don’t know much about reported averages posted by another CC user.
Averages are misleading-- b/c you’ll have a few people with a huge package and a great many with a peanuts.</p>
<p>The school is open with their approach -they don’t aim to meet unmet need and you should not bet nor expect a package that is COA-EFC == Package b/c it happens for very few people.
Many people have great packages - it does happen, but not always. You have to wait and see and then negotiate.</p>
<p>Bargain early b/c the longer you wait, the later in the housing line-up you will be. If you have a more favorable package from anpther CMU identified competitor, they will adjust. We bargained with D and got a few more thousand, S didn’t bargain b/c the package was better than than offered by other schools - much to our surprise. </p>
<p>You can PM me when you get a package and I can try to help you.</p>
<p>If you look around CC for finaid threads on CMU, you’ll probably find posts from me complaining that I got screwed over freshman year with a poor financial aid package. Which was somewhat true, but-- as mom2012 said-- they do allow bargaining in following years.</p>
<p>I bargained for more this year and received quite a bit more than last year and a small named scholarship. I’m a fairly average student. So even if your package is bad, don’t lose hope about attending.</p>
<p>@completelykate
Is that a common occurance? Approximately how much did you get before and after?</p>
<p>Well if I get in, I will definitely need some help. I am a terrible bargainer and right now other than for one school I have no idea what kind of packages I may be receiving from others. </p>
<p>Also is it just me or does anyway else find it weird that they do their financial aid this way?</p>
<p>Which College gave ‘good financial aid’ RD list price and list price = CMU’s price. Full Pay Student/Family</p>
<p>CMU, No aid.
2nd Tier Engineering. 50% Tuition Aid
3rd Tier Engineering. 100% Tuition Aid</p>
<p>My freshman year, I remember getting about $8,000 in grants, $3200 in work study, and a large amount of offered loans. </p>
<p>Which is absolute ****-poor, considering my EFC was around $20k.</p>
<p>This year they gave me $6k more in grants and raised all my max loan amounts for “subsidized” loans (government pays all interest until you graduate). I also have a $1k scholarship which I never applied for that is in some random man’s name.</p>
<p>2002.
DS eventually received a 1/6th tuition institutional grant. Nice for a full pay student. :)</p>
<p>DS was high performing prior to CMU. During CMU. And now, 5 years afterwards. He’s also an average student.</p>