Hello all! I was recently admitted to Connecticut College and I had a few questions regarding their financial aid. So far at schools, the amount of financial aid that I have received has varied quite a bit. DePaul gave me a great scholarships, grants while Hobart and William Smith did the same. I have heard that Connecticut College varies quite a bit. Can anyone shed any light on if I will be receiving aid? My dad makes $200,000 gross income. I don’t know what our AGI is but it should be something around $135,000? I have a younger brother who will be attending private high school ($40,000)+ My mother doesn’t work as she has a disease.
Have you run the Connecticut College Net Price Calculator on their web site? I imagine DePaul and HWS gave you merit aid. As far as I know CC doesn’t offer merit aid so anything you get from them will be FA which, if anything will be very small with an income of $200K.
@Erin’s Dad I did run the Connecticut College Net Price Calculator and I got that my parents have to pay the full $62,000 which is not really a reality. I myself have attended private school all and the same goes for my brother so I’m hoping that it has been financially tough for my family. I also live in San Francisco which is by far, one of the most expensive cities to live in. I know the CSS doesn’t account for that but hopefully they will give me something.
Your family will not get “credit” for the money spent on private high school tuition - that was your family’s choice. Think about it, if Conn College gives you aid, what they’re effectively doing is paying your brother’s high school tuition for your family. WHY should they do that???
You’re right, San Francisco is expensive, but there are certainly neighborhoods in the city that are less expensive. Again, where you live is a choice. Plenty of low income people manage to find affordable places to live in or near the city - they’re just a heck of a lot less desirable.
Not trying to give you a hard time about this . . . just want you to consider the bigger picture.
Then unfortunately, it sounds like Connecticut College is not affordable for you. Did you run the NPC before applying, and apply anyway? Maybe the private school tuition would have been better saved for college expenses. We all make choices…
For some reason, my parents thought that we might as well apply for FA. I do agree that it was a mistake to send myself and brother to private school. Oh well!
I wouldn’t say it was a mistake. The education you received from your private school is one reason you did well in your applications. Enjoy yourself at one of your more affordable colleges!
With the OP stating $200k gross income and AGI of $135k it sounds like there is an owned business or self-employment in the family. The NPCs won’t be as accurate in this situation. Unless the OP thinks AGI is the same as take-home pay. I agree, if they’re affordable and $62k isn’t, you can do great things at the other schools mentioned. It’s up to you to make that happen.
OP when we visited Conn Coll I asked to speak with a financial aid rep. She clarified that all financial aid is need-based, not merit based. This really is a huge difference for families with higher incomes (just for a point of reference, the median family household income in the US is $54,000). It was wise of you to apply to schools which would give you merit aid. Congrats on your offers for two fine schools so far – your hard work is “paying off”.
I just wanted to say thank you for all of your responses. I actually received my financial aid package from Conn College today and I actually received some need based aid! I will not be attending because of financial reasons and will be probably going to HWS
Well, good for you! And congratulations on your decision!!! 
HWS is a great school. Congratulations!
@thumper1 Are you familiar with HWS? If so, can I PM you and ask you a few questions?
I sent you a PM.