<p>Hey guys, have any of you received your financial aid packages yet? I've been waiting for over three weeks now, and I still haven't received mine. The deadline for the acceptance coupon is in just a couple of weeks, so it's becoming worrisome. I'm close to finishing the other forms, but I'm debating whether or not I should just send in the $400 tuition deposit now, and hope for a fair financial aid package to come in soon haha. I just want to get everything taken care of as soon as possible. Is anyone else experiencing the same situation? Why would it take this long?</p>
<p>Leave any suggestions or comments please!</p>
<p>The FA office is understaffed and overworked. Last year....current Cornell students didn't receive FA packages until late August/early September. My sister is transferring to Tulane for the spring semester and she still doesn't have an FA package.</p>
<p>Cornell is closed for the holidays and will reopen on January 5th. You can call then and find out what's up. If you're willing to lose the $400 in the event of a bad financial aid package....then I would go ahead and send it in to reserve your place.</p>
<p>Yeah, if I don't receive anything within a few days, it looks like I'll be sending the coupon in regardless of the package amount. My family is considered poor compared to the majority of families with students at Cornell, so I'm hoping the aid is somewhat fair and not a total ripoff. I'm predicting my parents will have to contribute an annual amount of $10,000 at the most, based on other stories. Cost isn't really a huge factor to me when it comes to education at Cornell, since it's probably the biggest investment I'll ever make besides a house. Its benefits definitely outweigh the negatives. I'm just thankful to have to opportunity to go there. :) Not attending Cornell isn't an option at this point.</p>
<p>Thanks for the information and advice dewdrop!</p>
<p>I havent received mine so I just shipped out the $400 coupon w/copies.</p>
<p>To me it wasnt worth loosing the seat since I want to go to Cornell.</p>
<p>Do you think they'll still give you aid? Because what worries me is if you submit the coupon before you receive your package, couldn't they just not offer you any aid, since they know you've already made the commitment to go there? If that isn't the case, then I wouldn't hesitate to send the deposit, because I'll trust their judgment in determining how much aid I need. Cornell is where I want to go, period. I just can't afford to pay for a semester at the full price. I'm giving them another call tomorrow...</p>
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I'm giving them another call tomorrow
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<p>The university is closed for winter break....it's unlikely anyone will be in the financial aid office until January 5th. </p>
<p>If you've applied for financial aid.....your application will be reviewed. The only way you will be denied aid is if the office determines your family contribution (based on income and assets) to be greater than the expected cost of attendance. You will never be denied because you sent in your deposit and so they assume you'll be attending regardless of FA award.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, I forgot the fact that Cornell is a need-blind institution, so they'll do their best to make it affordable no matter what. My family is definitely in need of aid, with an income at around $80,000 and with current assets probably under $100,000, so I'm pretty optimistic about receiving a generous package. If not, then it'll just be an investment with higher cost. Once again, thanks dewdrop! :D</p>