<p>I visited WashU recently and when the questions of FinAid and loans were brought up, the admissions rep was very equivative and did not give us an answer or even an example. So I was wondering, from personal experiences, what is the average loan at a student from washu walks away with? Also if I decide to apply ED, will my need/merit scholorships be compromised in order to entice the RD pool? Any personal example will be very helpful! Thanks</p>
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Also if I decide to apply ED, will my need/merit scholorships be compromised in order to entice the RD pool?
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I've never heard of that happening.</p>
<p>I believe that the average student who graduates WashU with loans graduates with a bit over $20,000 in student loan debt. I'm pretty sure this is the statistic quoted at last year's tuition forum. This doesn't factor in student who don't have loans, and graduate with $0 in debt (so the numbers aren't skewed).</p>
<p>In my experience, Wash U is very generous with financial aid, and their financial aid office is always great to deal with.</p>
<p>I concur that the aid office is outstanding. I deal with two colleges on aid issues. The other is a very prestigous school also, and they do quite well, but do not compare to Wash U.</p>
<p>I will say that you need to have your facts straight, not just beg or argue. Facts include:</p>
<p>1) know your finances, make sure the forms are filled out accurately, and you have support for your numbers.
2) take the time to run EFC estimates using more than one estimator. There are plenty of them out on the web for free.
3) if the aid offer seems low relative to the EFC you expect, ask them to reconcile with you. </p>
<p>This way you are arguing with facts and information, and they are very responsive.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input guys, I've just been hearing from other sources that if you apply ED the college will lower your financial aid because there's no point in giving more money to a person who must matriculate. I guess that's not the case with WashU.</p>
<p>We received a letter from WashU in the Spring stating that all student loans were going to be paid for by the school as grants. Our daughter's financial aid package came the other day and indeed, this is true. Also, she talked to the financial aid director personally because this last year was difficult for us financially and he responded favorably with some more $$$. We WILL be able to afford the school (it's now cheaper than a state school for us). </p>
<p>A number of private universites are doing similar financial aid packages - Stanford no longer has tuition if you are accepted; the Ivies have no tuition if your AGI is something like $150K or less (!). It has to do with the schools' non-profit status for their endowments and how the interest from their investments are to be used in the future. There was an article in Newsweek a few months ago that talked about this. So those schools with large endowments must use the interest to help the students...something like that. We are hearing about some terrific financial aid packages starting this fall for many of our friend's kids who are going to private schools.
I know ours was VERY generous from WashU. Hope this helps and GOOD LUCK!</p>
<p>I second and third the opinions on WashU financial aid. They are very responsive and approachable. I know for a fact that some prestigious schools (they shall remain nameless) offer you a financial aid package and you can't appeal for more money or try to reason with them. But the financial aid counselors know that behind the numbers you give them are real people with real issues that they don't mind working through.</p>