<p>The "Preliminary Financial Aid Decision" says that I am "ineligible to receive need-based financial assistance"...I'm wondering how final this decision is? I tried out the UChicago net price calculator and according to that, I'd get ~$10,000 in grant/scholarship money (can't remember which)...</p>
<p>(oh, and is there any way to update the CSS profile for UChicago even though I already sent it?)</p>
<p>Sigh. And this was one of my top choices too. :(</p>
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<p>Don’t panic! You can appeal your financial aid decision, and normally the financial aid office is reasonable as to what your final package will be. If you are not satisfied with your aid package, you can appeal for the second time during the orientation week.</p>
<p>I got the same message. Any idea how much the second estimate can differ from the initial? Realistically, I need like $25000+ per year to make this feasible, and unfortunately due to some weird noncustodial parent things, I got zero :(</p>
<p>Should I wait until I get the official Financial Aid package? Or is the letter on the account the final package…?</p>
<p>Super stressed now.</p>
<p>bump…should I wait until I get the official Fin Aid package? How would I go about appealing this anyways…</p>
<p>Any aid information you have currently as an EA applicant is an estimate of your aid, not an official package. Most aid packages do not differ significantly from the official package, but you should wait until you have your official aid package before deciding to appeal your aid decision.</p>
<p>Thank you UChicago. You were so generous in Financial aid. My estimate is 49,800 for University Grant. That completely convinces my parents to let me leave California.</p>
<p>I’m wondering can’t I apply for financial aid, if I’m willing to apply just before deadline ends? Otherwise, will u of chicago provide me a account, if I’m accepted?</p>
<p>jonjojonjo, domestic students may apply for financial aid at any point, and an aid package will be provided if the student qualifies-- of course we would prefer for students to apply by the deadlines each year, but we understand that family incomes may change from year to year. International students may only apply for financial aid at the time they apply for admission-- we are not able to provide aid to international students at any other time. You may learn more about applying for aid here: <a href=“https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/costs/[/url]”>https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/costs/</a></p>
<p>I was also deemed ineligible, but my 2012-2013 FASA will differ significantly from my 2010 Income Tax Returns (which I sent to U.Chicago with my EA application) and my 2011 Tax Returns because both my parents will be unemployed by January 2012 and I have an older sister in college already and three dependents in my house (including me). </p>
<p>Do you think I am likely to get a more significant financial aid package then? Otherwise, I cannot attend the school although I was admitted (and it’s no. 1 choice). I was super bummed when I saw. </p>
<p>Also, how heavily does my Noncustodial parent’s income affect aid decision because aside from a miserably small child support (less than six hundred per month), his income does not really benefit me?</p>
<p>sirdonk: The amount of financial aid you get each year is independent of what you got last year. So in your situation, you would likely get significantly more financial aid your next 3 years (likely, full tuition), although this year, you would have to pay full tuition. If you really want to go to Chicago, then you’d have to either 1) cough up the $50k for the first year, 2) talk to the financial aid office about reducing your expected parental contribution (which is recommended in any case), or 3) take a gap year and wait it out.</p>
<p>Also, note that your lack of a financial aid offer might’ve been due to large assets. Income isn’t the only determining factor in financial aid.</p>
<p>As for noncustodial parental income, it DOES affect the financial aid package. Your noncustodial parent is expected to contribute to your education. I was in the same situation back when I was a student, and I suspect that that policy has not changed.</p>
<p>Thanks for your speedy reply phuriku!</p>