<p>I have a huge problem ,. my parents wont let me apply ED to columbia because they think i will get a horrible financial aid package. </p>
<p>is it true or how can i prove financial aid will be the same?! </p>
<p>my family is middle class (upper) 125k per year but we cant afford it cuz my bro goes to private hs</p>
<p>listen to you parents and apply RD. If money is going to be an issue (and your parents are telling you that it is) make sure that there are schools on your list where you could possibly get merit aid.</p>
<p>the thing is my dad is willing to give up his retirement money but my mom wont listen…what do i do?</p>
<p>if i beg columbia, will they give me any financial aid (im not sure if i even qualify for any)</p>
<p>Run your families financial numbers through a financial aid calculator. It will generate an estimate of your family’s annual contribution. I do not know Columbia’s financial aid policies…but the family income you highlight is not considered “low income” as you know. An income of $125,000 a year will likely yield an expected family contribution between $31,000 and $41,000 annually (roughly 1/4 to 1/3 of your family’s gross income). Depending on how Columbia calculates financial aid (they use the PROFILE and the information contained on that to distribute institutional aid), your family might be asked to pay somewhere in the above amount.</p>
<p>The thing you need to know is that your financial aid at Columbia is not going to probably vary with Early Decision over Regular Decision as the school guarantees to meet full need.</p>
<p>BUT what IS important…your family is indicating to you that finances ARE a consideration for your college choice. If you apply ED, you are required to accept that enrollment. You are required to withdraw all other applications. </p>
<p>If you apply RD, you could have a number of very different financial aid packages to compare from school to school…with some being more favorable than others. Folks here will tell you…even with schools that meet full need, the awards can vary by THOUSANDS of dollars. That could make a difference for you if finances are a consideration for your family.</p>
<p>There is not a huge advantage to applying ED to Columbia. Why do you feel this is so advantageous for you?</p>
<p>P.S. Your parents should NOT NOT NOT give up a nickel of their retirement money to pay for your college education in my opinion. If they do, they are reducing their incomes when they retire. They can take out loans and help you pay those back using their retirement income if they choose to do so…but once that retirement income is GONE…it is GONE. And it is very hard to replace.</p>
<p>Re: begging for money from Columbia…they have a formula they use to compute financial aid. You can try to beg for more money, but it is highly unlikely they will consider your begging unless the information you have submitted on your financial aid form has changed (e.g. parent has lost a job).</p>
<p>columbia ed admit rate= 20%
Rd=8%</p>
<p>thats huge!</p>
<p>my family makes 160k so will i prettym uch be expected full fare…but colmbia says it gives aid up to 200,000 and will meet 100%</p>
<p>Ahem…they reject 80% in ED and 92% in RD. Sorry, the chances of acceptance are NOT significantly higher. Remember that included in those ED numbers are students the school is highly interested in…think legacies, developmental admits, athletes, etc. If you are not a competitive admit in the RD round for Columbia, applying ED is not all that likely to take you into the admitted crowd, in my opinion. If you are competitive for the RD round…apply RD.</p>
<p>Brown…what you NEED TO FIND OUT…is how much your parents are willing to contribute to your education annually. That is very important. </p>
<p>I agree with Sybbie…they are telling you that finances are a consideration by saying that they do not want you applying ED for that reason. Listen to them…unless you are paying for college without their financial support. If their finances are to be considered…please be considerate of their opinions.</p>