<p>Hi,
My daughter was admitted to a boarding school as a FP student. However, the situation in our family has changed drastically in the past few months. I'm not going to withdraw her enrollment because she really wants to change her school.
Do you think it would be possible for us to apply for FA for her second year? Does anyone have any experience with that? Also, we're international.</p>
<p>An adjustment of financial aid is possible where there has been a dramatic change in family circumstances. Sounds like you would qualify.</p>
<p>Now, the following is only a guess, but I’m thinking it couldn’t hurt to contact the head of financial aid now and give them a heads up as to what’s going on and see what they have to say.</p>
<p>Right. We got a form from our D’s school that asked parents who were FP to apply for FA one month earlier than those who were returning FA parents. I think that allows the schools to anticipate how much FA they have for the incoming class. So it does happen that schools reconsider FA each year dependent on family circumstances.</p>
<p>The OP is an international. Does that hinder the FA picture for next year? I know some schools say they have very limited FA for international students.</p>
<p>I woudn’t count on it especially as international students. Even with US families, one needs to provide solid proof that their financial condition has worsened seriously and they truely can’t afford the tuition. In non-need blind schools, FPs have advantages in gaining admission and the school expects them to remain full pay although they try to accomodate the most difficult situations due to unforeseen changes, given that the economic downturn has affected so many families.</p>
<p>Call the school and ask. Every school is different (especially in regards to international FA) and also most will accept changes now for next year.</p>
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<p>For continuing students, yes . . . but for a new student, I’m not so sure. Schools simply don’t have the FA budgets to accept a student as full pay and then turn around and adjust their status to full aid (or even partial aid) a month later. If it was that easy, we’d all be applying as full pay!</p>
<p>But I agree that it is definitely worth a phone call - and the sooner, the better.</p>
<p>dodgersmom - I guess what I meant is that they will accept the info and consider it. It might not matter, but they might look at it.</p>
<p>Thank you all very much for your opinions/suggestions. I understand that it’s not easy to receive FA after being enrolled as a FP student; I was just asking whether there is any chance of it happening. I’ll definitely contact the school and explain our current financial situation.</p>
<p>This is an interesting question - Sabi6a, please let us know what you find out!</p>
<p>For what it is worth, I have been told that existing students do get preference over new students in regards to FA. Therefore, if your daughter enrolled as a FP this year, and assuming you could make it work for you for her first year, she would be given preferential treatment in the distribution of new FA packages next year as a returning student. Again, I have no first-hand knowledge of this - just something I’ve heard. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Mayhew, before distributing FA money to new students, schools would first try to make sure that the students who are currently on FA continue get funded so they can finish their HS career without interruption. I believe that’s the “preference” you refer to. Just imagine the implications if the schools open the door “wide open” for families that apply for admission as FP and then apply for FA for the next year. Enough number of them’s wish granted could bankrupt the school. There used to be a policy - and I think for some it’s still in place - that requires students admitted full pay stay full pay until they graduate. Because of the economic crisis this time around, some schools loosen up on that policy to accomodate special cases, but the fundamentals of the FA policies remain the same.</p>
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<p>No DAndrew - that’s not the case and we’ve posted that ad naseum on the boards. They take care of existing FA student but that’s already in the budget. They look at FP parents to see if the need has changed. Those parents have FA application dates much earlier than renewals for existing FA parents. That allows the school to determine how much aid they have available for new incoming students. It is exactly why we’re seeing so many FA waitlists compared to other years - because the economy hit a number of FP parents hard.</p>
<p>@Mayhew said:</p>
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<p>Mayhew you’re exactly right. The schools try to take care of existing students first. It doesn’t guarantee FA, but it does create an opportunity to apply and explain what has changed in the family circumstances.</p>
<p>Well, Exie, but what about the FA student for whom financial circumstances have also changed? In that case, wouldn’t the school also try to meet that (presumably not budgeted) need? Why just the FP families?</p>
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<p>That’s implied since all returning FA students have to fill out an annual PFS to maintain eligibility. FA isn’t automatically renewed. FP parents who never filled out the form or received FA usually have to file PFS much earlier than existing FA families.</p>
<p>I have also heard of schools that will refuse to give any FA to a previous FP student. Nothing wrong with asking what the policy is at your school.</p>
<p>@Sabi6a. </p>
<p>If you do NOT ask, chances of getting FA is 0%. As your D is already admitted to the school, there seems to be nothing to lose in asking for FA. </p>
<p>“The squeaky wheel gets the grease” </p>
<p>Start making squeaky noises…</p>