<p>was really happy to be accepted..now im devastated by the aid. dont know if i can still go. will probably try to appeal for more.
any other fin aid applicants here?
(i am an intl btw)</p>
<p>That's sad wukong. I'm applying RD. I thought Midd was good with aid..? Could you post how much you are getting? Say, as a percentage of your need</p>
<p>i've heard that middlebury is need-blind to int applicants. but i've also heard that they're packages are extremely poor. they were ranked as one of the schools where students don't like the aid packages. ur reaction answers my suspicion.</p>
<p>Call the financial aid office and contest the award. They will usually budge a bit.</p>
<p>btw, what did they offer? You know, going to an expensive college is going to cost you and your family some money--you can't expect to get a mostly free ride even from schools that are need blind to internationals. we would be in a better position to discuss if you got shafted if we know what they offered you and how much you expected...</p>
<p>i dont really feel comfortable divulging too much info on the net.
but to cover the remainder (minus estd grants and campus job) i need about 20% of family income + 35 % of our lifetime savings (intended for my parents' retirement (no pension here)).
is that normal? because it's not what i had expected</p>
<p>That's a pretty standard aid package in the US wukong because they consider all family assets, including savings. (They don't know that money is set aside for retirement if it's not in an actual retirement account.). Still, it can't hurt to call the financial aid office and ask if there is any room for negotiation.</p>
<p>i remember coming across some snippets here and there about why fin aid aplicants shouldnt apply ed. now i finally understand why lol. a bit late though.
i guess i was a little too optimistic, after all, every college has limited funds, can't really expect them to award huge grants to everyone.
i'll call or maybe write in and see what they say</p>
<p>I would call. it's much better to get a person on the phone than to communicate over email or snailmail.</p>
<p>Arcadia is right. Although you might have a problem getting a hold of someone until after New Year's. It may help to have some information in hand about the typical package. Here's the info. I have on average financial aid packages at Middlebury ( this is a year out of date): Average total package awarded was $26,979. Average grant amount was $21,224, average work stud and loans were $5240, average amount of need based loan was $4595 (loans are probably limited for internationals). No merit awards. With the comprehensive fee (tuition, room/board) at Middlebury just above $40,000 a year plus added costs like books, personal expenses and travel, you can see you're not the only one having to come up with a dece t chunk of money from other sources. Sounds like Middlebury gives very few "full rides." Can't hurt to ask for a bit more help though. All they can say is "no."</p>
<p>k i will.
based on this: middlebury fact book 03-04
<a href="http://web.middlebury.edu/NR/rdonlyres/74A10C95-BFF1-4F16-A8E5-72392B6D5DC5/0/03fin_aid.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://web.middlebury.edu/NR/rdonlyres/74A10C95-BFF1-4F16-A8E5-72392B6D5DC5/0/03fin_aid.pdf</a>
the average amount awarded to intls was $35,398 (incl the loan and work)</p>
<p>That's a good number to have when you talk to them Wukong. Good luck - hope you get them to bend.</p>
<p>i dont know..mid does rock with fin-aid..u should def call them up and maybe you didnt send in somethin that shows hardship..did u leave anything out?..are your parents divorce?..hey btw if ur parents are divorce and say u really dont talk to ur dad or mom..u shouldnt say u know them..cuz if u do they take both of the their salaries into account..ehh i hope that wasnt confusing..anyways..u musta left something out..speak to them!</p>
<p>Question: I know that Middlebury is need-blind towards internationals. But does it guarantee to meet 100% of your "demonstrated" need for international students?</p>
<p>No, it doesn't :( That's the catch.</p>
<p>Financial assistance at Middlebury is based entirely on established need and, to the degree resources permit, is offered to international students on the same basis as it is to U.S. citizens. Each student is expected to contribute a minimum of $1,100 toward first-year expenses, and a minimum of $1,450 each year as sophomores, juniors and seniors.</p>
<p>What you need to do is have your parents write an appeal explaining in the tiniest detail of what their expenses are, how they spend their money, list all medical expenses and prescriptions, orthodonture, anything that's a neccessity (like if they each drive old cars that have lots of miles that will help - if they drive or lease new luxury cars, forget about aid). If they can prove that your family lives frugally, Midd will be helpful. Good luck.</p>
<p>man i forgot to send them an appeal letter along with my application. is it alright if i fax it to them now? OH and yes...middlebury offers to fulfill 100% of an international's demonstrated need, same as a US citizen</p>
<p>Arseus--
you only send an appeal letter if you've been accepted and you are not happy with your fin aid package...</p>
<p>As for your family's savings, add that to the appeal letter, how hard they have worked to save money for retirement, at what age they plan to retire, no pension. Think of your original finaid forms as bones, now they need the meat to make a proper determination.</p>