Financial Aid Question

<p>How much Financial Aid did the rest of you get on average? My family's income is around 100k, but I'm currently divided between two households because my parents work in different places (though they are not divorced). I was just wondering because Grinnell offered me about 15k a year from merit aid and no other aid, and I don't think I can afford the remainder, especially with their price increases. </p>

<p>It's difficult because apparently my EFC is around 27k a year, and I know my parents cannot afford that at all...despite the fact that many would consider our income middle-class.</p>

<p>i was offered 5k merit aid and that's all.</p>

<p>I have the same problem LCH with my EFC being very high but my parents obviously not being able to afford it. I was offered only 7.5k merit aid. I am planning on calling the financial aid office and talking with them about it because I keep hearing that Grinnell is generous. I hope we end up being recipients of that generosity :)</p>

<p>My EFC was 0 so I got a very generous financial aid packet, for which I am greatful, because I come from a single parent household and I have 6 siblings and one of them is also in college. So there would be no way I would be able to afford college at all</p>

<p>Your experience seems very atypical of usual financial aid practices employed by Grinnell. Almost universally they seem to provide aid that is generous. If your circumstances are truly as you indicate, I'd call them and ask them to reconsider based on the necessity of maintaining two households for your family.</p>

<p>Write a letter of appeal to the Office of Financial Aid and ask for them to review your application for financial aid. Explain your situation thoroughly and consider having your parents help you write it. The more specific you are, the better they will understand why your EFC is not accurate. Grinnell is quite generous (they offered me and my older sister enough for my parents to comfortably pay for the rest), and will probably end up giving you more, since they are committed to meeting 100% of each student's need. Good luck. :)</p>