Help with Brown University Financial Aid

Colleges and Universities A-Z Brown University
1

Hi all, I am a senior from Evergreen Valley High School in San Jose, CA. I was accepted to Brown University for computer science, and I would really like to go there; however, the Brown financial aid office said they cannot give me my financial aid package without the 2015 federal tax return from my mom.

Due to issues with the IRS, my mom is unable to have her 2015 federal tax return available for at least the next few months. I have submitted an official tax-delay form to Brown University, but they still insist that the university cannot determine my financial aid eligiblity without the tax return. I’m unsure what to do since the SIR deadline of May 1 is approaching and financial aid is a big concern for me regarding where to go to college.

I have filled out both the FAFSA and CSS Profile, but it is not sufficient according to Brown. As of right now, my other top choices are UC Berkeley ($23k/yr after grants) and UCLA ($26k/yr after grants). If anyone could offer any insights/help on how to obtain a financial aid package from Brown, I would greatly appreciate it. Brown is my top choice due to its open curriculum, liberal student body, cooperative student culture, and location (I want to go to school on the east).

2

I have no idea if this would help, but if you have any solid estimates of what the tax return would show, maybe Financial Aid could give you a ballpark figure? I don’t see how they could give you an actual package without having the current return, as they have stated.

3

You need to have your mother contact financial aid. Have her keep insisting to talk to the next level up until she gets to the highest level possible. Have you gotten need-based financial aid from anywhere (not merit grants)?

Another option is to talk to admissions. Maybe they can give you an extension on the May 1 deadline.

4

Brown should be able to give you an estimated award based on your mother’s estimated tax return, but they will not finalize the award or release any money until the actual tax return (DRT or tax transcript) is received.