<p>I plan to apply ED to NU this fall, however my parents and I are cautious because financial aid is huge for us. As much as I love the higher acceptance rate, the concept of blindly accepting a price is a bit unnerving. My family makes around 70,000 per year and is on a tight budget as it is. I really want to go to NU, however, I would be devastated if it put too much of a burden on my family. I would really love to hear anybody's experience with the matter. Thank you!</p>
<p>Run the net price calculator as it is quite accurate. But make sure you do it with your 2013 taxes in front of you, because $70k is probably not the number they want. It looks to me like you would pay about $10k per year PLUS have $6700 student loans per year and $2500 work study per year. If you are a really strong student, there are other schools that give lower loans, or even no loans. Then you could take out the same amount of loans you NU will give you out of the gate. But you would need to actually get into one of them.</p>
<p>Northwestern is generally considered to be fair to generous with their financial aid by those who I know who have applied both ED and RD. Only the ivies are generally considered to offer better financial aid packages.</p>
<p>I would encourage you and your family to complete the Northwestern net price calculator to get an estimate of what your family may be expected to pay. I also recommend you and your family figure out how much you can contribute from savings, parents’ income, your summer earnings, and tax credits. You may be able to save some money by buying used books or by living off campus your sophomore year. If your family concludes that it is affordable, then I encourage you to apply ED. </p>
<p>If it does not seem affordable, or if being able to compare financial aid packages in order to choose the best one is a priority, then I would encourage you to apply RD, as well as to apply to some schools that offer guaranteed significant merit aid and/or are a financial/academic safety. </p>
<p>I have a question, I am planning to apply ED at Nov. 1, but the FAFSA would not be done yet as it comes out in January. How would the financial aid be calculated in December? Does anyone know?</p>
<p>@MasterThinker , We have to submit the CSS profile by Dec. 1.</p>
<p>So does the FAFSA play no role in the financial aid process? Or will it be calculated later? Thanks for helping me out 
</p>
<p>FAFSA is only used to determine eligibility for federal aid. NU used the CSS Profile which is more detailed and takes more into account when calculating what you should contribute form your family. The role the FAFSA will pay is to allow you to take your student loan, Parent Plus loan should your parents want, or provide Pell Grant should you be eligible.</p>
<p>Okay, I got it. Thanks and best of luck to you in getting into NU. </p>
<p>@MasterThinker Thanks, you too!</p>