<p>I applied and got accepted to Tufts ED, but I didn't apply for financial aid because I was afraid it would hurt my chances. My family and I can probably afford to pay 25,000 a year (perhaps full tuition for one full year if need be). Is it impossible to get any financial aid now? If so, could I apply for financial aid after 1 year? What are some other ways I could help pay for college without financial aid?</p>
<p>Contact the financial aid office at Tufts immediately and ask this question.</p>
<p>This was the risk you took when you did not apply for aid. You can now apply for financial aid and see what you can get. Your parents may be eligible for the PLUS (loan) and you probably can get the unsubsidized Stafford loans, maybe subsidized. Fill out the FAFSA after 1/1/2009, and get your PROFILE app submitted.</p>
<p>cptofthehouse, I specified that I would not apply for financial aid in my application. If I now submit a FAFSA to Tufts would they even consider it? Ae you saying that since I have given up any aid I might be able to recieve from Tufts, my only other option would be federal aid? Is there any other kind of federal aid besides PLUS and Stafford loans?</p>
<p>Tufts will meet need, but only for those who apply for aid within the prescribed timeframe. For ED, the priority deadline may be early. I don't know, though. As was suggested, you should contact Tufts.</p>
<p>Colleges have a priority deadline ... if you file for aid before the priority deadline, you will get the best possible aid package. If you file later, you will be eligible for federal grants and loans (if you qualify), but you are not guaranteed any institutional aid or campus based federal aid (work study, SEOG, Perkins loans). This is because these funds are often awarded to the group that has filed by the priority date. ED may or may not reserve a pool of funds with a special priority date ... it depends on the school.</p>
<p>There is a possibility that you may receive the full amounts you would have received had you applied on time. If not, you would still be eligible for a Pell grant if your income is low enough (and for the other grants like ACG that require Pell eligibility) and subsidized, unsubsidized, and Stafford loans. There may be work study available, as well.</p>
<p>What I mean is, since Tufts isn't need-blind, if I decide to apply for aid now will that affect my admissions decision?</p>
<p>Were you already accepted? Then it won't change that.</p>
<p>OP, I don't mean to sound nasty, but truthful... why did you ever apply ED without applying for FA, if you already knew that it would be hard to pay? ED is supposed to be binding, and doing it that way is just plain a lie. You had no business doing this. Try to apply now, sure, but the school has its own ways of operating, and you might be in a bit of trouble. I don't guess that they would sue for tuition, but they really don't have to offer you a penny, and they really could make your life a little difficult. This was not a good idea.</p>
<p>I can definately pay for the first year. If I apply for aid after a year there would be no problem right?</p>
<p>It was incredibly foolish to say you would not be applying for aid if you do need aid to attend. You need to call them ASAP and ask them if you can be considered for aid in this or in following years. Only they can tell you their exact policies. There are schools (especially ones that are not need blind) that will not allow you to apply for aid in future years if you have said you are not applying for aid. You need to ask them. You probably have the following possible scenarios, depending on what their policies are, from best case to worst:
1. They allow you to apply for aid (including federal and institutional) this year. You have missed the ED deadline for aid so would probably not be notified about aid until later in the new year, at the same time as RD applicants. In the meantime, as an ED student, you are expected to withdraw your applications to all other schools.
2. They may say you can apply for federal aid only this year via FAFSA but that you can apply for institutional aid next year. If you are able to pay $25k out of pocket it is likely federal aid will be only loans. You will have no way of knowing what the institutional aid migh be the subsequent year, so will not know if you can afford subsequent years.
3. They may have a policy (some schools do) that you may not apply for institutional aid if you have said you are not going to.</p>
<p>From the transfers page at Information</a> for Transfer Applicants - Office of Undergraduate Admissions - Tufts University</p>
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[quote]
Financial aid at Tufts is renewable on an annual basis, but it is necessary to reapply each year. Tufts students are only eligible to request financial aid if they applied for aid when they made their initial application for admission. Therefore, if a transfer candidate feels as though financial assistance will be necessary at some point during their undergraduate career at Tufts, they should complete a financial aid application when applying for admission.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>It sounds like the policy for all students. You need to contact them and find out.</p>