<p>I participated in the finaid early estimate program for cmu and got back my results today. I'm a little shocked because I've heard carnegie was stingy yet I got my need met? Theses are my results:</p>
<p>Estimated educational costs: $57,847
Estimated grant assistance: $49,500
Estimated loan assistance: $5,847
Estimated work assistance: $2,500</p>
<p>I know this isn't guaranteed but could I really possibly get a financial aid package similar to this (if i was accepted, of course)? I just thought it was an unusually high amount of grants since I have less than stellar stats but I guess it's because of my low efc.</p>
<p>Search previous years – same question comes up- usually in reverse, stingy estimate is that possible - and yes it is.</p>
<p>Although all anectotal - everyone here indicates estimate was right on the money.</p>
<p>If you underestimated your income however and earned more than you put in the estimate you will see a different result.
I also encourage you to do the FAFSA estimate at their website to see if you get same results. CMU is driven by FAFSA AND AND AND their perception of who they want to attract.</p>
<p>Best of luck! If you attend sleeping bag weekend, go on an interview and bring the estimate - ask them about it-- it will show serious interest!</p>
<p>BTW-- both my kids got exactly what the estimate indicated - no fishiness. That’s a sample size of 2 however.</p>