How often do people apply for financial aid?

Applying to College
1

<p>So, for the past couple school days, people have been asking me how far I was with my financial aid situation.</p>

<p>When I told them I did not apply for financial aid, everyone became astonished. Some even painted me as a villain in my family, "forcing" my parents to pay full price. </p>

<p>The conversations would go like this -</p>

<p>"Did you submit your financial aid form to Cornell"
Me: "Err... No. I'm not applying for financial aid"
"Really?"
Me: "Yes?"
"Well why not?" "Your parents will pay for everything?"
Me: "Yes"</p>

<p>That same person said that I was the only one she knew that's not applying for financial aid.</p>

<p>So this brings me to my question - how often do people apply for FA? I was under the impression that ... it was not common, but am I blatantly wrong? Is it just for my set of friends?</p>

2

<p>Something around 60% of every school I’ve even looked at apply and receive some sort of aid</p>

3

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<p>Pretty much blatantly wrong… Not many people, even those applying to the Ivy League, can afford to dish out $200K.</p>

4

<p>Remember the 60% that receive aid does not include others who applied but didn’t qualify for aid. So, yes, a lot of people apply for financial aid, even people who know they won’t get any.</p>

5

<p>you get aid even if your parents earn up to 150k…even at higher income levels if they have other kids at college…so unless your parents earn above that, you’re making them spend money they don’t need to</p>

6

<p>Wait. Seriously. You don’t think it’s common that parents can’t dish out 50k a year for college?</p>

7

<p>sozo: the rule of thumb is if your family can today, go to their savings account and write a check for the full year’s costs, then you probably won’t qualify for FA. If this applies to your family, fine. No need to feel guilty.</p>

<p>But to avoid future “foot in mouth” or naive attitudes of relative wealth, why don’t you do this? Google to see what the average american income is and see how “common” people fare and what they’d have to do to afford a Private college tuition.</p>

<p>“blatantly wrong” is an apt phrase. </p>

<p>while you’re at it, google “london tipton” – she’s one of my kids’ favorite TV characters. LOL</p>