<p>I know that financial aid is the same for early or regular decision, but is there some way to estimate financial aid before applying early decision? What can be done if a student is accepted through early decision but feels that his or her financial aid decision is not good enough? I could not find concrete information on Haverford's website regarding this. Thanks!</p>
<p>Call the FA office and see how they can work with you on this. I know one school that works with applicants to give them as clear a picture as possible – if they ask – before the deadline to apply for ED. Haverford’s FA may not be able to do this, certainly at this date, but they may give you some sort of guide so you’re not going into this totally blind.</p>
<p>I think people should have a clear idea of what kind of aid they can expect before applying ED. Yes, the ED agreement allows you to back out if the aid is not feasible…but (a) that puts some students in a horrible dilemma of rejecting their first choice college if they get hit with a surprise and, precisely because they applied ED, they can’t use other FA packages to possibly “negotiate” a viable aid number; and (b) that same school that says they will work with applicants ahead of the ED deadline also makes it clear that they share lists of names of applicants who renege on the ED acceptance, even if it’s for FA reasons. I told D’yer Jr. that ED was off the table for him because I have a consumer mentality (for better or worse) and can’t commit to buy something without knowing the price. You may find that Haverford’s FA office can give you enough comfort before committing to the ED process. But you gotta ask!</p>
<p>I would call Martha in finaid, for sure. They are wonderful. My hunch is that they do a finaid “pre-read.”</p>
<p>@Biorunner3
Did you contact FA and receive “pre-read”? If so, how long did it take for a response?</p>
<p>We did not do a pre- read when my S applied 4 years ago as I didn’t know at the time that such a thing existed! I know the Ivy’s just did a pre-read for us for my youngest S who is a senior this year so perhaps Haverford will too. They meet 100% of demonstrated need, yet there are things they do not take into consideration such as credit card debt. I encourage you to call and talk with them. I have found them to be friendly and helpful.</p>
<p>I sent them an email one afternoon or evening last week and received a response the next morning. They do offer the possibility to receive an Early Evaluation, and you are supposed to have the College Board Profile sent by November 1 and there are certain forms you need to mail in. They said they would try to get me an evaluation even though I was past the November 1 date. I have not received an evaluation yet back, but that is my fault for not talking to them about it sooner. I’m guessing that they don’t go talking about this option much because they would probably rather do it only for students who are seriously interested in the college and are willing to ask, rather than for many students who may just be shopping around. Hopefully I’ll hear back tomorrow so I can submit my application, but if not I guess I’ll just have to settle for RD.</p>
<p>thanks everyone for the suggestions though</p>
<p>Revbon, do you know whether they consider value of one’s home (purchased almost 40 years ago). One parent is retired and the other is not exactly young (though not quite as old yet). We figured we would not qualify because the current value of the residence would be considered an asset.</p>
<p>I am not sure about how they now factor a home’s value as we sold our home when our S was a freshman and now rent. I have heard through the grapevine that since the economy tanked they no longer consider equity. I might send them an e-mail and I am sure they will let you know. Best of luck!</p>
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<p>how did you ascertain the current value of the residence?</p>
<p>I tried zillow.com after some on this board recommended it, and it was still stuck in the middle of the r.e. bubble- and then some, which is incorrect. I hope colleges do not check the applicant’s claim of valuation using THIS tool.</p>