Help! Financial aid problem

Colleges and Universities A-Z Swarthmore College
1

<p>I just got my financial aid offer, which is asking for $28,800 for my parents' contribution. This is absolutely not possible without going into incredible debt--Amherst has offered $15,000 as parental contribution, and my mother was already uneasy but willing to try to make it work. Yale is also asking for much less ($20,000 from parents).</p>

<p>I think the problem is my noncustodial parent (father), who makes a lot of money but has refused to help me pay for college. (Child support just ended when I turned 18, so he figures he's fulfilled his responsibilities.) My mother and stepfather are willing to support me, but we're still paying off debt from when she was single and not making much. The Swarthmore fin aid right now can't be an option, especially since the scholarship $$ I'm trying for won't cover parental contribution.</p>

<p>I like the other schools, but I would MUCH prefer to go to Swarthmore. The papers they sent me sound pretty firm that they won't change the offer. Do you think there's any chance I could convince them to reconsider? I'd really appreciate any advice. =( Thanks!!</p>

2

<p>Sure, there's a chance.</p>

<p>Actually, all three of those schools are in a group that is supposed to calculate the financial aid the same way (i.e. use the same rules to handle various things like property, child support, yadda, yadda). I guess you can see how well that's workin' out.</p>

<p>You and/or your mom, should contact the finanical aid office at Swat and review the other offers with them to try to determine where the discrepency lies. It is quite possible that Swat may not have factored your Dad's contribution (or lack thereof) the same way.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the encouragement... My mother is sending them a letter with more info on our finances today, and we'll probably try to call and talk to someone tomorrow, so hopefully everything works out. I have my fingers crossed. :)</p>