<p>Did anyone here get a significantly reduced aid package after freshman year with no significant change in income or circumstances, or has/did it remain about consistent throughout your stay?</p>
<p>Come on guys. Anyone have any experience with this? I ask because although I was given an excellent first year offer, reading about the financial aid troubles of so many others has got me worried about what it’ll be like in the future. I don’t want to have to drop out of school halfway because I can’t afford it.</p>
<p>I have a similar concern. Going to Northwestern would already cost me a not entirely insignificant amount more, and, while I would love to go, I am worried about what will happen to my aid next year as well. My parents own their own business and their yearly income is not determined by any set salary, meaning that it can fluctuate from year to year. This upcoming year is supposed to be a bad one for them, but, after that, who knows? </p>
<p>I would hate to accept at Northwestern, complete a year, and then be forced to transfer to my state school b/c of some horrible financial aid change. (would additionally be v. uncomfortable because I would have turned down a full-ride scholarship at said state school to attend NU (and, unless I am mistaken, merit scholarships aren’t exactly given out to transfers?))</p>
<p>Answers, anyone?</p>
<p>My understanding is NU offers financial aid based on need rather than merit. The FA office has worked with us to make our DD attendance a reality. The school offers several ways to earn $$, in addition to loans. The financial aid office has sent letters reassuring the parents they will continue this policy even in light of the losses they incurred this past year. I hope this provides the reassurance you are seeking.</p>
<p>maybe I should re-phrase that last part–merit scholarships for transfers to state schools, not NU</p>
<p>My fin. aid stayed almost exactly the same- it increased slightly along with the slight increase in costs (I think I ended up paying more anyway, but if I were living off campus i’d be getting more aid vs. cost). I’m hoping my fin. aid goes up this year, since half my funds have evaporated from the recent collapse of stocks, but I’ll manage either way.</p>