Hey everyone, I’m a junior planning on applying ED at NU this coming fall. I have a few questions I’d like to ask.
First, I’ve read some places that ED (everywhere) tends to offer less aid to students than normal decision… Any truth to this?
Second, how reliable is Northwestern’s NPC? Was your package similar in size to what was predicted, or…?
Third, (if this applies to you) when you appealed for more aid because it was less than anticipated, how successful were your efforts?
Just trying to get a feel for it all… Northwestern’s my top choice, but if my family can’t afford it I won’t put that burden on my parents.
Northwestern doesn’t offer less aid for ED thats completely false. Usually ED and RD get similar aid. I got aid very similar aid this year to what I was expecting, and similar in comparison to a few other relations who also went to NU (including some that applied RD). You can use their net price calculator to get a fairly accurate reading of what it will cost you. These days there aren’t really any hidden costs as far as home much tuition costs as the NPC tends to be really accurate give or take a few thousand. As for how much aid you’ll get it tends to be fairly good overall if your smart about it. Appealing IS very helpful in general to get more aid. If your stuck in the situation where you feel a little more aid would be helpful and you put in the time to write a nice letter explaining your financial situation in general they tend to bump up aid at least a few thousand. I myself got an unexpected extra 10k just for appealing when my parents explained some extra costs that bumped up our reported income (and while my family not super rich, we’re not super poor either so there is hope if your more middle class and would appreciate a little extra more to cover the big bill also). Also one last thing if you apply ED I think someone on a campus tour or something said if you must, you can be released from the binding ED agreement if the money burden ends up being too much for you, but really they are very up front about it and the finicial aid office is willing to work with you so that no one ends up with too much debt by graduation. Good luck applying!