I am in a huge predicament. Northeastern expects me to pay 52,000 per year, by only offering me a merit scholarship and loans. Every other college is making me pay a maximum of 35,000. GW- 26,000. Drexel- 30,000. Tulane- 32,000. Emory- 24,000. I emailed a financial aid counselor and they said they fully met my need, but they clearly did not. My FAFSA EFC is 20k, and other schools said my EFC (with CSS) is in between 25-35k. Also, the net price calculator for northeastern said it will be 33,000. How is this possible and is there anything I can do to fix this offer??? They claim to meet my need but they basically used a random number for me.
You can file an appeal. Use the NPC numbers as a reason why you don’t think the award is correct. You might get them to consider the other schools but they may not care.
@twoinanddone Thank you! How should I file an appeal? In person? On the phone? Fax? (I am probably going to Boston for admitted students day soon)
I think you should file it in writing, using the NPC documents as support and anything else you have to support your position (medical bills, job loss, unusual expenses).
I also think you should consider the other schools with an open mind. Those seem like some good options.
It has to be a written appeal. Type a simple letter in a Word document. Use bullet points for each point you want to make. Take a screen shot of every page of the NPC and the result. Then send all this as attachments to an email saying something like Attached please find my financial aid appeal. Thank you for your consideration.
In any case, Emory is a way better school than Northeastern.
Each school computes your need using a different formula. It is VERY possible that Northeastern used some financial data points that the others didn’t use.
They didn’t use a random number…unless you made a mistake and gave them a random number.
Sure…see if Northeastern will reconsider your award…but at the same time…embrace one of the schools that IS affordable.
How much was you merit scholarship at NEU?
Are either of your parents self employed? Do they own a business? Are they divorced/remarried? Do you own any real estate in addition to your primary residence?