<p>Hey guys</p>
<p>If my family earns like 20,000 and I put that my family can contibute 20,000 (which is equal to our income) then, when I am given need-base financial aid, do colleges assume that my family really would pay 20,000? </p>
<p>Realistically...... We cant pay 20,000. Then like my family will have $0 to spend after paying for my tuition and all. </p>
<p>Any suggestions on what I should do?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>If your family income is 20K, with few assets, the formula (both FAFSA and Profile) will calculate the Estimated Family Contribution at 0. That's what you should put down for the Profile question re: how much your family can contribute.</p>
<p>ohhhhh </p>
<p>1) I am an international student </p>
<p>2) So I didnt know that I should have put $0 contribution - So I put 20K because I thought US colleges might not prefer international students who cant affor tutition and etc</p>
<p>You can do a FAFSA correction any time. If you submitted Profile, you'll need to contact the financial aid office(s) at your selected school(s) and find out how they would like you to make the correction.</p>
<p>If you are applying to schools which don't meet need and put down $20K, they will assume that you will pay that. At most schools, for internationals, how much you can pay does matter in whether or not you are accepted.</p>
<p>You need to send a note correcting the possible family contribution to $0 if that is what your family really can pay. It is not going to do you one bit of good to be admitted to colleges/universities that you absolutely can't pay for and can't attend. You want to be admitted to schools you can afford, and will be able to attend.</p>
<p>Since they calculate your contribution through their own formula, it really doent matter what you wrote on a space. However it would be prudent to revaluate your financial situation and come up a with a realistic figure. Most colleges would expect you to contribute something to your education. So instead of 0, somehting like 500 or a thousand maybe a better EFC.
O and send the FA office a note.</p>
<p>Hmmmm......</p>
<p>What if my family earns like $600,000
And I applied for financial aid?
(I'm sorry. I'm trying to learn more about financial aid. My family earns more than $20,000. My friend saw this post and asked me why I am lying! I am not lying. I just wanted to know what would happen. Again, sorry if you are offended or anything like that)</p>
<p>And thanks everyone for your replies!!!!</p>
<p>
[quote]
If my family earns like 20,000
[/quote]
</p>
<p>
[quote]
What if my family earns like $600,000
[/quote]
</p>
<p>
[quote]
My family earns more than $20,000
[/quote]
</p>
<p>If you really want to learn about FA, please stop beating around the bush, and tell us about how much your parents actually make. Then perhaps posters can give you information relevant to your situation rather than some made-up scenario. There's a world of difference between 20k and 600k and the situation for Intl students is more complex and college specific than for US citizens.</p>
<p>I agree with entomom.</p>
<p>Financial aid is based on what the school thinks your need is - not what you think you can pay. They use your financial information to calculate what they think you should be able to pay and what they will award (if anything) in the way of financial aid.</p>
<p>International students also have to provide a certificate or statement of finances showing how they will pay. I believe this is required as part of the student visa application process. An international student without proof of ability to pay (either through their own finances or aid offered from the school) will probably not be given a student visa.</p>