<p>If you apply ED and the package they offer isn't sufficient, are you committed?</p>
<p>I think so… which is why ED can be risky sometimes</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure thats actually the only way out of the commitment.</p>
<p>Is it really? Huh, didn’t know that, but it seems like a lot of people freak out about doing ED because they need to compare financial aid…</p>
<p>yeah, i’ve been wondering the same thing…are you sure?
I’m scared to apply ED to Columbia b/c of the binding-ness esp. in concern w/ fin. aid.</p>
<p>Insufficient FA is the only valid reason to turn down an ED acceptance. Most people shy away from ED because you don’t get the chance to compare FA offers. If you have to turn down an ED acceptance you then need to quickly get some apps out.</p>
<p>People say don’t go ED if you need financial aid, but if you’re applying to a 100% need school then you shouldn’t worry too much. There’s no way they’ll completely screw you. And if it the package ends up being insufficient somehow, you can back out.</p>
<p>Each college/university determines for itself what your EFC is. It is entirely possible that a 100% need school will determine that your family can pay a much higher EFC than your family believes to be affordable.</p>
<p>Sit down with your parents and run the EFC calculators at [FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org%5DFinAid”>http://www.finaid.org) and [College</a> Calculators - savings calculators - college costs, loans](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>Calculate Your Cost – BigFuture | College Board) Find out what your EFC might be. Talk with your parents about just exactly how you will come up with that much money. Find out how much more than that your family can come up with. Find out how your family feels about you taking on a lot of college debt. Find out how much money they think you should be earning in the summer and during the school year in order to help pay your expenses.</p>
<p>Until you and your parents have a very clear picture of what the finances could look like, don’t apply ED. It is almost always better to apply RD or Rolling Admissions so that you can compare multiple financial aid packages in April.</p>