<p>my EFC is 2,700 about.
my expected contribution is 38k???</p>
<p>wow this makes me very very very sad. we are considering a financial review... what do you think are the chances of this working out for me?</p>
<p>I think the chances are very high!</p>
<p>That's frightening o_o They were really good with my FA, about right with my EFC. I think you could definitely get a good review. I wish you luck with that!</p>
<p>thanks lol. i hope so!</p>
<p>you can ask them for more...i did last year, and got some additional.</p>
<p>how much, if you dont mind me asking?
</p>
<p>Please don't panic, things can work out for you. If you look at previous years' threads, you will see that the FA Office is open to changes in your package and you can get a nice rise in financial assistance. There are people who doubled their grants after contacting the office. </p>
<p>Just try, there is nothing to lose!</p>
<p>
[quote]
my EFC is 2,700 about.
my expected contribution is 38k???
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Remember that Dartmouth calculates your EFC based on information from both the FAFSA and the CSS profile and these 2 insturments look at your financial situation differently.</p>
<p>At minimum you file the FAFSA (at almost every school) to determine your eligibility for federal aid (Pell/ seog grants, stafford and perkins loans). Most public univeristies will just require the fafsa (the exception may be UVA, UNC- CH, Mich and a few others which may require their own forms)</p>
<p>The CSS profile is used at different colleges that distribute their own institutional aid (Many of these schools have much deeper pockets).</p>
<p>Many schools that use a federal methodology to determine EFC will require only the FAFSA. Schools that use an instutional methodology or a combination of the 2 will require the CSS profile or their own FA forms.</p>
<p>Differences between the IM and FM models are</p>
<p>IM collects information on estimated academic year family income, medical expenses, elementary and secondary school tuition and unusual circumstances. FM omits these questions.</p>
<p>IM considers a fuller range of family asset information, while FM ignores assets of siblings, all assets of certain families with less than $50,000 of income, and both home and family farm equity.</p>
<p>FM defines income as the “adjusted gross income” on federal tax returns, plus various categories of untaxed income. IM includes in total income any paper depreciation, business, rental or capital losses which artificially reduce adjusted gross income.</p>
<p>FM does not assume a minimum student contribution to education; IM expects the student, as primary beneficiary of the education, to devote some time each year to earning money to pay for education.</p>
<p>FM ignores the noncustodial parent in cases of divorce or separation; IM expects parents to help pay for education, regardless of current marital status.</p>
<p>FM and IM apply different percentages to adjust the parental contribution when multiple siblings are simultaneously enrolled in college, and IM considers only siblings enrolled in undergraduate programs.</p>
<p>The IM expected family share represents a best estimate of a family’s capacity (relative to other families) to absorb, over time, the costs of education. It is not an assessment of cash on hand, a value judgment about how much a family should be able to use current income, or a measure of liquidity. The final determinations of demonstrated need and awards rest with the University and are based upon a uniform and consistent treatment of family circumstances.</p>
<p>Except in the most extraordinary circumstances, Colleges classifies incoming students as dependent upon parents for institutional aid purposes, even though some students may meet the federal definition of “independence.”</p>
<p>Students enrolling as dependent students are considered dependent throughout their undergraduate years when need for institutional scholarships is determined.</p>
<p>For institutional aid purposes a student may not “declare” independence due to attainment of legal age, internal family arrangements, marriage or family disagreements.</p>
<p>Your COA (cost of attendance) is tuition, room board, books travel expenses and some misc. expenses associated with attending college.</p>
<p>If Dartmouth gave you a 38k EFC, then they feel your family has vast assets that can be used to pay for your education.</p>
<p>Are your parents self employed? Do they own their own business or farm? Off the top of my head I can say that this alone will definitely factor in to why there is a vast difference in the 2 amounts.</p>
<p>For example, a student posted about having a low EFC but they had a farm valued at a few million $$, guess what? No need based aid for them.</p>
<p>You can request a financial review, but don't expect your package to change much if the school believes that you family has resources to pay for your education.</p>
<p>another school gave me 35k in need based aid. should i attach this to the dartmouth review package?</p>
<p>yes - you should.</p>
<p>Morangotango, based on what your family income is (which I saw when you posted your stats -- really, I'm not stalking you), I gotta believe they'll review it and change it. Call them first thing Monday morning. Definitely tell them of the other school's offer. I think they really want you there; I think they'll try hard to make it work.</p>
<p>don'y worry, no stalking charges here! thanks so much everyone! wish me luck!</p>
<p>What is thr process for a review? Do we have to wait until we receive the hard copy financial aid package in snail mail or should I call today?</p>
<p>there is a form that is part of the financial aid review process that you will have to fill out, so I would suggest waiting for the form. Dartmouth will let you fax your information over.</p>
<p>ok,</p>
<p>found the form on the website:</p>
<p>Thx! (You give really good input.)</p>
<p>You're welcome (as she gives a collective sigh of relief as to having submitted FA forms to Dartmouth for the last time;) )</p>
<p>I'm having forms mailed in tomorrow. Once they receive them, do you know how long it takes to get a response?</p>
<p>they are usually pretty quick (a couple of days) about reviewing them and giving you a response</p>
<p>faxed in first thing this morning! now.... hoping!</p>
<p>Fingers crossed for all of you!!</p>