<p>I was accepted to my first choice school, but I believe they have over estimated my familial contribution, because they have offered me loans, but no grants. I have not yet filed the FASFA, and since my family pays taxes in two countries, I am considering letting my schools have the tax paper from the other country in which we pay taxes(I only gave them on). Do you guys have any advice as to what to do to get more need based aid and when? Thank you.</p>
<p>Legally you might be stuck. If you want to do the unethical approach, just have your parent switch stuff into relative's names. There really is no way around the financial aid game, because for some strange reason they take into account the value of your house and all your savings. I am classified as adult student, so they only take into account my earnings, and I didn't qualify for grants because I made over $16,000 last year. Ouch!</p>
<p>Unethical approach? We'd never consider dodgy dealings. If the school knew more about my family's finances I actually think (hope?) they'd consider giving me more aid. If you read my original, we pay taxes in two countries, but I only reported one. I think that might be a pretty big factor in how little aid I got...</p>
<p>You should indeed report the most complete information you have. I used to live abroad, so I remember some of the tricky issues of possible double taxation and the like. It's always okay to submit clarifying information if the first round of financial aid estimation doesn't, in your opinion, reflect all the facts that the college should know.</p>
<p>if the school is one that meets 100% of need, that need can be met by any combination of loans, grants and work study, and the school will still be fullfilling it's promise.</p>
<p>When there is need, it is best to have several schools to compare so you are not locked into to a school that you can't afford. Schools will also often adjust your package when given documentation that supports a greater need than previously disclosed.</p>
<p>Are you bound by an ED commitment? If not, maybe you need to look at other schools so that you can compare packages.</p>
<p>People tend to forget that meeting demonstrated need does not necessarily mean scholarship/ grant aid but loans. </p>
<p>Did you do any research on the average financial aid in grants and loans? </p>
<p>Is this a heavily endowed school? </p>
<p>If not they may not have the scholarship aid to give. The school maybe reserving the money for stronger candidates that may come in during the RD round (especially if you applied ED, they have no vested interest in trying to "woo" you because you are already committed to attend). </p>
<p>They may be saivng thier scholarships to give to studnets who have a greater finanical need as a way of building the desired class. </p>
<p>Is this a school that gives very little grand/scholarship aid to begin with?</p>
<p>EK is correct that as far as the school is concerned , they may feel as if they have met your demonstrated need because they have offered to loans.</p>
<p>Submit the othere documentation but be prepared that they may not give you more scholarship money.</p>