<p>It's important to understand that one can have sympathy and empathy for people in the OP's situation, yet one still can understand why the colleges choose not to give students financial aid whose parents have the money, but refuse to contribute. EMM1 said it well: "possibilities of evasion and outright fraud would abound" if colleges were giving money to people in such unfortunate situations."</p>
<p>I am new to all this, so my question may not be applicable....any chance you could secure additional student loans/work study to fill the gap?...be creative, ask any and everyone what ideas they have to help you with this financial hurdle...take 2 years at a local cc, and then transfer??..Dreams can come true, and they are worth the effort. Good Luck!</p>
<p>Apol: We are able to afford UF and UNC, it's just Cornell and Dartmouth (well until I get the final paperwork from Cornell) that are not affordable</p>
<p>I'm hoping to really try and talk to my dad about this, and see if this is a possibility at all. I'm just sitting here going everyday while May 1st lurks closer and closer. My mom says I'm sitting on false hope, and I'm not realistic, and that just makes me even angrier. </p>
<p>I'm the only kid from my school to even APPLY to Ivy-caliber schools, and I really want to take the opportunity to go. I get myself all worked up by stalking the Cornell and Dartmouth websites, looking at potential classes and activities. (haha I think Meditation and Relaxation for a PE class at Cornell would be awesome :)) And then I come crashing down to earth, knowing, it'll probably never happen.</p>
<p>Dreams can come true, can't they? Miracles happen.</p>
<p>Personally, I have experienced MANY miracles-hold on to that truth.
Now, on a practical side...keep asking those questions-you are bright and creative..YOU got ACCEPTED to Cornell and Dartmouth-you have that something special-prove it to yourself and find a way to make this happen.GFI</p>
<p>Northstarmom, my point is that the colleges these days won't do what they were willing to do for you -- take a parent's word for it or look at financial documentation. They make it damn near impossible to avoid consideration of the NCP's income, no matter what the reality of the situation is. Calling up with a sob story won't cut it.</p>
<p>Yeah, we tried appealing Dartmouth's aid, but they responded with the "moral responsibility" of each parent to pay what they can, which I totally understand, it's just difficult in my scenario</p>
<p>lol Cornell tried to fax the my award letter to me, and it said it went through, but when I opened it it was just two blank pages....</p>
<p>guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow.</p>
<p>The military has many options be it an active or reserve duty route. I took the Army Reserve route and will be swimming in money <em>relatively</em> for a college student (without originally being rich). I had to defer enrollment for a year, but taking a year off can be a good thing for the brain and personal development, as well as get your finances in order.</p>
<p>Yep still not here, planning on Friday now. </p>
<p>I asked my dad how much he is really willing to help, and told him my mom doesn't want me to have like 80k in debt, and he said</p>
<p>"Let's wait to see what the letter says.
A Student loan has to be in the picture to make this work.
How much savings do you have from your investments? </p>
<p>Dad "</p>
<p>Don't you love the emotion?</p>
<br>
<blockquote> <p>"Let's wait to see what the letter says. A Student loan has to be in the picture to make this work. How much savings do you have from your investments? Dad ">></p> </blockquote>
<br>
<p>We said the VERY same thing to our kids...phrased a little differently. We said "You will be taking out the Stafford Loan each year in your own name. How much of your summer earnings and savings are you willing to contribute to make this work?"</p>
<p>That is a realistic thing for any parent to say and does not necessarily imply a lack of concern, caring or emotion.</p>
<p>If you have investments, consider yourself lucky...could this be part of the reason you received a small need based award?</p>
<p>jgonzo -- actually, it sounds somewhat promising. He sounds like he is willing to help out and he is actually responding to your emails.</p>
<p>That's the thing, I have no "investments." Just like 6k in the bank from working, but thats it :(</p>
<p>Yep, there's still hope, I'm still planning on a miracle. </p>
<p>If not, I've been thinking about it, and I'm still really psyched to go to UF too
(I hear they have an awesome football and basketball team :) )</p>
<p>Cornell gave me 4,000. That's it.</p>
<p>It's official guys, I'm going to UF.</p>
<p>good luck.</p>
<p>Best of luck at UF. I know several students there who turned down more competitive colleges for financial reasons. All are very happy with UF.</p>
<p>ROTC pays full tuition + $900/yr allowance for books + up to $500/mo stipend. Some colleges add free housing to sweeten the deal. It may not be too late to get a scholarship.</p>
<p>nah, I'm more than happy to go to UF, and maybe i'll apply to Weill Cornell med school or something.</p>
<p>lets just say, the gators better make it a hat trick this year :)</p>