<p>was anyone else's expected contribution from columbia significantly more than their fafsa EFC? mine was abt 8-9K more...</p>
<p>i plan to appeal my fin package... any tips on how to proceed abt it?</p>
<p>if things do not change, columbia (seas) will simply not be a reality for me</p>
<p>i've heard this argued both ways but a fin.aid rep from Carnegie-Mellon and Yale both told me that it is ok to send other school's fin.aid packages to where you dont think you got a fair deal (columbia in your case)</p>
<p>Have your parents handle it. Did any other schools give you more money? If so, send Columbia those offer letters. Send them a letter documenting all your hardships.</p>
<p>maybe a little less. The rest is small loans for ds, some work study and a big grant. We're happy.<br>
momoffive</p>
<p>When you say you can bargain using other school's offers, is this only limited to other schools' financial aid package, or do their scholarships count too (e.g. merit-based full ride)?</p>
<p>they say they will look over your application again in case they missed something another school considered, but they will not match the merit-based aid NYU and University of Chicago give. They will consider other need-based offers. You can fax them a copy of other aid packages. You ask for a review of your financial aid in writing at any time. See page 22 of your Columbia Financial Aid booklet. Gosh, it helps that I am a retired CPA, huh?</p>
<p>momoffive</p>
<p>Everything's negotiable. They'll consider other need-based aid packages, but they might not look the other way if they see that another top school is giving you merit money.</p>
<p>I have another award from a top school -- that school offered me about 40,000/4yrs of merit money. However, I just want to compare the large discrepancy between the EFC between these schools. Will they bat an eyelid?</p>