<p>I've been thinking: I keep talking about the schools I want to apply to, but none of it is going to happen unless I get financial aid. Given the following details, how likely is it that I will get more than half of my boarding school education paid for?</p>
<p>My mother is a stay-at-home mom, and last year my father made around $350,000. But this year his salary will most likely end up being $100,000 or less, and the loss of his job completely is a very real possibility. Also, I have six siblings. My brother is going to be a freshman in college next year, but the rest of my siblings are younger than me (now you see why I want to go to boarding school :p). </p>
<p>The loss of his income has resulted in a real lifestyle change for us. For example, I just got a job to pay for my school visits in the fall. As you can see, we have very little money to spare. Do you think financial aid is possible for me?</p>
<p>The fact that he makes 100k now and you have brother in college + many siblings will very likely qualify you for half FA, if not more. Actually, when you fill out PFS, it gives you a rough estimate of family contribution. Maybe try that first and see how the number turns out.
You talked about your dad’s situation here before. I admire that you took a job to pay for school visits and still pursue your dream. And you wouldn’t give up boarding school because of a dog.
(sorry, still laughing from the other thread)</p>
<p>Haha! Unfortunately, I have two dogs. I would gladly give them up for boarding school (as you can see, I’m not an animal person!) And I’m glad I have a job, it makes me feel productive. 
If you ever drown in a YMCA in Alabama, I just might save your life!</p>
<p>But I am so excited about my applications this year. I’m going for it, regardless of my likelihood for FA!</p>
<p>I agree with boardingschool. It seems like you have a really good chance for financial aid. My parents make a little more than 100,000 a year, and we got more than half and I’m an only child. With that many siblings and one starting college, I actually would be shocked if you didn’t get a decent grant!</p>
<p>And awesome for you, getting a job! That shows dedication. And lucky for you being able to get one, I’m practically begging for one but in Florida you have to be sixteen to legally work so I’m out of luck.</p>
<p>have you tried this:
[Phillips</a> Exeter Academy | Can I Get Financial Aid?](<a href=“http://www.exeter.edu/admissions/15848.aspx]Phillips”>http://www.exeter.edu/admissions/15848.aspx)</p>
<p>it might not be deadly accurate, but…
for a family making 200k+, of six (and yours is what? nine??) their average contribution was around 13k, so they got like 30k of financial aid!! if your family income drops to 100k, then your estimated contribution will be around one thousand dollars (almost a full ride), and that’s only for a family of six… i think you’re pretty much guaranteed financial aid with 100k, with a family of NINE! (and probably with a full ride, or close…)</p>
<p>PS, i might have done the math wrong… you + six siblings + presumably 2 parents = 9 people?</p>
<p>I don’t get how you think the fact that I won’t give up my dog is funny. Your the one who brought up the dog as a neccesity dive alive. Millions of dogs get put to sleep in shelters each year. As a part of PETA I’d never EVER give up my dog.
Bamagirl- You could probly get 3/4 of your tuition paid. From research I’ve done trying to figure out mine Family with $75,000 income or less are free so since you aren’t much over that, My guess is at least 3/4 of the cost. Thats only a guess though.</p>
<p>I agree with the posters above–I think you’ll qualify for FA. A few caveats though–</p>
<p>–Exeter may not be the best school to gauge FA by, since in our experience at least, their aid is much more generous than FA offered by other schools;the results of the SSS are a more accurate predictor of aid at a typical school (you’d still qualify for aid, just not as much)</p>
<p>–It’s more difficult to get into some schools when you need FA, so it’s important to apply to schools that you are “overqualified” for, as well as some reaches;</p>
<p>–most schools will impute an income to a stay-at-home mom, unless there are compelling reasons for her to be at home (I think a preschool aged sibling, for example, would count as compelling).</p>
<p>This is not to discourage you–just look for schools that will love you, and thank your parents for making your education a priority, especially given the financial difficulties they’ve been facing :)</p>
<p>alo, i didn’t bring up the dog in this thread… also, it’s just that for most of us here, education is our number one priority. it’s fine that for you, it may not be. i didn’t say not giving up a dog was funny, it just doesn’t comply with MY personal view of education being number 1, not that there’s anything wrong with yours. it’s just one person’s opinion, and i think you’ll find that most people here share similar views with me.
people just naturally have different views, and with that comes a little bit of understandable conflict. most of us would sacrifice a LOT (including a dog) because we put education at the top, but obviously people have different things and levels of things they’d be willing to sacrifice, and if a dog is your limit, there’s nothing wrong with that .</p>
<p>sorry i meant boardingschool. my mistake and i apologize.</p>
<p>As classicalmama said, it’s harder when you need FA. From Exeter’s website:</p>
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<p>…as if it wasn’t competitive enough as it is!</p>