<p>I have recently applied RD to GWU as a freshman this coming 2010 fall semester. This is my top-choice school, but I don't know if I'd be able to attend because of the cost. I do know that they do give good need-based and merit aid. </p>
<p>My stats are:
GPA 4.0 with many AP classes
Valedictorian of graduating class
SAT 2300/2400 1550/1600 (Math 750, CR 800, Writing 750)
Presidential Scholar Nominee (for SAT score)
Varsity Soccer
National Honor Society
Beta Club
French Honor Society
Karate
Service work with Church Group and other org. </p>
<p>What are my chances of merit aid at GWU and about how much would I possibly recieve?</p>
<p>GW advertises that they try to meet all need. Does this mean that will subtract EFC from cost of attendance, and try to meet that?</p>
<p>Does GW also have you fill out any other forms, such as CSS Profile or their own form? If so, they may determine that your family should pay some other amount. Whatever they think your family should pay, they will subtract that from the cost of attendance. (What was your EFC?)</p>
<p>I don’t know what “try to meet need” means. That sounds like they don’t promise to meet need. That could mean that you may have big loans or even a gap in your FA package. </p>
<p>Good to hear that you have 2 safety schools. :)</p>
<p>Yes, GW is a profile school. They have been allocating more money for financial aid the last few years. The amount of the scholarships vary from year to year. Your stats look very good for merit aid, which has been 15,000-20,000 in the past, depending on need. There are some scholarships that are both merit and need based, and some pure merit. If your EFC is low, you may get additional need aid. Unfortunately, you’ll just have to wait and see. If you don’t think your award is high enough, you can try to appeal. My D says everyone she knows who appealed got another $2000 aid (this was for 2008).</p>
<p>It likely means that since GWU has a COA of over $55k per year, your family will be expected to pay at least $25k per year…maybe more depending on the FA package. </p>
<p>Have your parents said that they will pay the $25k (or more) per year?</p>
<p>I want to stress that this is only speculation - with an EFC of 25,000, if you do get a scholarship, they will probably offer you that and a loan. Possibly also a smaller (5000 or less grant) The scholarship will count towards meeting your need.</p>
<p>That is probably very true. Some mistakenly think that the scholarship will apply towards the EFC. It won’t. </p>
<p>The COA is $55k. His EFC is $25k. His “need” is $30k. (of course, institutional methodology may find these numbers to be a bit different)</p>
<p>The OP’s family will be expected to pay the EFC ($25k) and if he gets the scholarship (possibly ranging from $15k-20k), then his FA package will likely include the scholarship, a Stafford loan, work-study, and perhaps a Plus loan or gap.</p>
<p>If the family cannot afford their EFC that will be a huge problem. If the FA package includes large loans or gaps, that will be an additional problem.</p>
<p>I didn’t think FA Offices were allowed to count Parent PLUS loans or Private Loans as part of their package. The reason being - a lot of families use the Parent PLUS loans/Private Loans to cover thier EFC.</p>
<p>We’ve never seen a PLUS loan in my “D”'s FA packages.</p>
<p>I wasn’t thinking Plus, just the Stafford. GW is a Profile school, so they may come up with a different EFC than FAFSA, and I don’t know that they meet 100% of need. atsn, we really can’t tell you that your package will add up to 30,000.</p>
<p>*I didn’t think FA Offices were allowed to count Parent PLUS loans or Private Loans as part of their package. The reason being - a lot of families use the Parent PLUS loans/Private Loans to cover thier EFC.</p>
<p>We’ve never seen a PLUS loan in my “D”'s FA packages. *</p>
<p>Allowed? There’s no law against doing so. What one school does (or doesn’t do) doesn’t restrict another school.</p>
<p>Your D’s school may not include a Plus loan in its FA packages, but some schools do. Some schools put Plus loans in packages so that they can claim that they meet need.</p>
<p>And, certainly schools that put gaps in FA packages know that parents might use Plus loans to fill the gap and to pay for some EFC.</p>
<p>*Ok so you are saying that my FA package would amount to 30k but include loans? </p>
<p>Sorry, and the merit scholarship is part of the FA package? *</p>
<p>If GW doesn’t meet need, then there’s no guarantee that your FA package will amount to $30k. $30k is your “need” (approx, since that is using federal methods).</p>
<p>And, yes, the scholarship would be part of the FA package. The scholarship isn’t for your EFC. Yes, it is likely that your FA package will include a scholarship, a Stafford loan, and some work study. It could include something else, too.</p>
<p>You will easily qualify for GW’s top merit award, which was $24k (if I recall from last year). And, GW is reasonable with its loan requirements (for top candidates such as yourself).</p>