<p>I recently applied to a school (got accepted), and was given a somewhat good financial aid package. However, my parents can't afford to pay the expected parental contribution, so my dad has emailed the financial office a letter of appeal. I am only 20% sure this will work out, so I want to have a back up plan. If they refuse my appeal for more aid, how can I withdraw my application so that I can apply to other school by January? Also taking a gap year is not possible for me... and I can't pay the money they're asking. What should I do? Help! </p>
<p>I applied to the school Early Admission.</p>
<p>Is this for U Chicago? EA at U Chicago (as at most schools that use EA) is not binding. So, no problem.</p>
<p>Is this an EA school? If so, you could have ALREADY submitted apps. No waiting!</p>
<p>And if this is an ED school, you could have already submitted apps as well. Why haven’t you already submitted apps?</p>
<p>You can always withdraw from an ED acceptance if the money isn’t enough. And, you can already apply to other schools. You don’t have to wait until you get an answer on the appeal.</p>
<p>How much more is your family expecting to get for the school to be affordable? How much more does your dad want?</p>
<p>How much can your parents pay each year?
How much were you given in grants?</p>
<p>Many appeals are completely denied, but usually when they aren’t denied, then the increase is just a couple thousand dollars…unless the FA office made a mistake, or the family has some serious issue.</p>
<p>edited to add:</p>
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<p>Ahhh…you’re an international. That may be an issue because you also have international travel costs and health insurance costs (probably about $5k total for both expenses)…and you have to show that you have ALL costs covered (including personal expenses) otherwise your visa won’t be issued.</p>
<p>I only need a couple of thousand dollars. Maybe $2000 up to $4000. I know, I can refuse to go if I am not satisfied with the money. However, I am afraid of being blacklisted.</p>
<p>OMG! I got differed from both of schools (EA). Now, I only have my ED school. I am very nervous. The possibility of them giving me money seems so little! </p>
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I only need a couple of thousand dollars. Maybe $2000 up to $4000. I know, I can refuse to go if I am not satisfied with the money. However, I am afraid of being blacklisted.</p>
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<p>??</p>
<p>This is the US. One school does NOT know what your situation is at another school. </p>
<p>Your SAT and gpa are excellent. Apply to more schools and don’t give up! The schools with the most generous FA for international students are all the ivies plus Stanford, MIT, Duke, Pomona, Bowdoin, Vassar, Amherst, Williams, plus many of the elite women’s colleges like Wellesley, Smith and Mt Holyoke. Columbia has many Ethiopian students and the admissions people probably know your high school. If you need fee waivers, send an email to the admissions office at each college and ask for a fee waiver. They know that Ethiopian students have trouble with bank transfers. Good luck! </p>