Financial Aid: too late?

<p>I am an international applicant and want to apply for financial aid. I was actually sure that March, 1 was the <em>postmark</em> deadline. After reviewing the Financial Aid Information Packet, however, I saw that they want to <em>receive</em> the material by March, 1.
I am a bit uneasy now, even though MyMIT sais that March, 1 is the postmark deadline. Anybody can clarify the situation?</p>

<p>If I were you I would just send it in as soon as you can. Even if it is after the deadline they should still consider you for financial aid, just they may get the information to you late (at least that's what I've heard; I'm not sure if thats completely correct or not.)</p>

<p>Hmm, yes, that's what I think, too.
On <a href="http://web.mit.edu/finaid/freshman/dates.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://web.mit.edu/finaid/freshman/dates.html&lt;/a>, it says:

[quote]

Both Early Action and Regular Action admitted students who apply by the March 1 deadline will be notified in mid-April of their financial aid decision. Applicants who do not meet the March 1 deadline will be notified of their eligibility to receive aid shortly after their application becomes complete. However, we reserve the right to stop reviewing late applications after May 1.

[/quote]

However, I am bit irritated. It's nowhere clearly stated whether they want to receive everything by March 1 or whether the student is supposed to finish and send everything by March 1. I really did not intend to not meet the deadline.</p>

<p>Don't stress.</p>

<p>Seriously, I've gotten finaid info in late every single year (as in, over the summer late) and still gotten an award. They're nice people, and they're not going to deny you money just because you misunderstood the deadline.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Don't stress.</p>

<p>Seriously, I've gotten finaid info in late every single year (as in, over the summer late) and still gotten an award. They're nice people, and they're not going to deny you money just because you misunderstood the deadline.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>But if he is accepted to MIT, and his decision to attend hinges on whether he is going to get enough financial aid, and he has to make a decision by May 1 on which college he will attend, getting the information in late might be a problem, wouldn't it?</p>

<p>Do they award late financial aid applicants less? I know some universities will prioritize applicants who met the deadlines and give remanining money to the late students. Any idea how it works at MIT?</p>

<p>I don't think they do that...MIT is one of those "we'll provide everything you can't pay" schools (there aren't many of them, especially below rank 25 on USNWR), so they have a seemingly infinite pot of money. Your award is only based on your cirumstances, I think...</p>

<p>I feel like I must have had a financial aid offer by May 1, even getting the information in late. My family's certainly not one that could afford to pay my way to MIT!</p>

<p>I'm not sure if they award late applicants less; certainly it's a possibility, so you should try to get your info in by the deadline.</p>

<p>Well, I sent the stuff today. However, it will take about a week or so to arrive at MIT. Anyway, I'll hope it'll all work out in the end.</p>

<p>No worries, March 1 is definitely the postmark deadline. I just spoke with Daniel (Dir. of FinAid) who confirmed this.</p>

<p>Ben, thank you very much.
Good to have you around :)</p>

<p>Was I supposed to send in stuff to MIT through CollegeBoard's IDOC thingy, or send stuff to MIT directly as well? (I suppose this is just rhetorical since I have no tax forms of any kind to send... also, in which case, what on earth should i do? :))</p>