How good is financial aid?

<p>Ima apply next year and im sure some admits are wondering, how good is need-based financial aid at Northwestern (especially from like the 120-160k income bracket)? especially relative to other top-tier schools? does it make it feasible to attend or do people generally get upset about what they're given?</p>

<p>I would like to know this too. Also, when are FA awards announced?</p>

<p>Really bad for internationals. Close to none. I got in UChicago SO TAKE THAT NORTHWESTERN! AND TAKE THAT UC BERKELEY!</p>

<p>A bunch of egoistical and elitist people! jking</p>

<p>FA depends on a number of different factors. So someone who is in the same income bracket as you may get a totally different FA package than you receive. (# of siblings, amount of money your parents have in investments, property you own, money in the bank). </p>

<p>Generally speaking NU is either very generous or not generous at all, once again, it really really depends on a variety of factors. I fall under your income bracket and NU gave me roughly 25k (3k in loans, 2k in work study, 20k in grants). I received a similar FA package from Wellesley; around 15k from USC; and 3k in loans from UMich and UIUC. And NU's FA usually beats UChicago's (notorious for horrible FA...). </p>

<p>I know that some schools (I know Wellesley and Williams for sure) does the whole matching other school's FA package thing. Not sure about NU though - and it probably won't hurt to try. </p>

<p>I received my FA around mid April? Maybe closer to early April. You just have you keep checking Caesar. I don't think I got the actual letter stating my FA package until one or two weeks later.</p>

<p>how do u set up a caesar account, saerax?</p>

<p>the only way to find out about our fin aid is to wait for an email right?</p>

<p>I'm curious about this too. If anyone doesn't mind sharing what they got with an income of just about 100K I'd really appreciate it.</p>

<p>financial aid is up on caeser...bad news for me...hopefully I can win the lottery or else I can kiss NU goodbye</p>

<p>Are logins for a Caesar account sent through emails, or how do you sign up for an account?</p>

<p>Never mind, I just checked NU's website, it says this:</p>

<p>"Newly Admitted Students</p>

<p>Students whose applications materials were received by the deadline dates will receive their aid decisions via U.S. mail."</p>

<p>your acceptance packet will include info on how to set up caeser. you need the ID and activation code they give you. otherwise you can just wait for the mail :)</p>

<p>Okay, just checked mine, $34,278.00 in aid. I'm happy, but... that's still 20k out of the pocket that we just don't have. </p>

<p>Sigh. Guess I'm heading to Tulsa... suddenly I'm not so excited about free college. :(</p>

<p>I know. I was accepted to Johns Hopkins and NU recently, but they're still asking for 20k when my EFC is 13k. fml</p>

<p>Do you think it would be possible to press them if I tell them that another school is giving me a full scholarship? (and I'm interviewing for ANOTHER one in a few hours...) The total amount is only about 1k more than what they're already giving me, but since that already includes some loans, is there a chance they might increase my actual scholarship package?</p>

<p>Pianistonstrike,</p>

<p>What are you majoring in and were you offered a good merit aid/FA at Tulsa? I'm also seriously considering Tulsa even though was accepted to Rice, NU and I was offered a nice merit aid package at W&L U. My out-of-pocket for Rice is over $23K which my family can't afford. I don't know yet about NU.</p>

<p>Cancun</p>

<p>how do you know your aid already? i'm from puerto rico and i have no idea... does the letter give any indications? did the letter already arrive? sos!</p>

<p>Cancun, I received the Presidential scholarship from university of Tulsa. It's for National Merit finalists and covers tuition + room/board for all four years (about 36K/year). I think the deadline is already passed, but you can ask... I didn't apply for aid other than that. EDIT: oh, and I'm majoring in biology.</p>

<p>Wandii - the information about logging into your Caesar account is included with the admission package. They were sent out Thursday, I believe; I got mine yesterday (Friday) but I live in the Chicago area. Yours will probably arrive soon :) Oh, and it never actually mentions the word Caesar in the letter (or maybe I just can't read) but once you get it, set up your account, then go to NU's website and there should be a link at the very top. Just use your account information to log in. :)</p>

<p>pianistonstrike, I was also offered the TU Presidential Scholarship based on being a NMF. I'm planning on doing pre-med while possibly majoring in Physics.</p>

<p>My EFC was 33,000 and NU gave me 20k (15,000 in grants, 2,000 in work money and 3,500 in loans) in aid so around what I was expecting.</p>

<p>dammit i can't wait to get my package</p>