Ok, so I just got a significant bump in my financial aid from Carnegie Mellon (similar to costs in-state) , making it a feasible option for me to go this year. But I’m worried that might not last all four years because my brother will no longer be an undergrad in two years time. So I’m wondering how drastically that will affect my aid?
Well…are your parents paying for your brother? Could that money be used for you once he is out of college?
Yes, it is highly likely your aid will be drastically reduced when your brother is no longer in school. That’s the way it generally works. You need to discuss this issue directly with CMU financial aid
The FAFSA EFC is cut in HALF for parental contributions with two kids in college. Though not that big of a difference for PROFILE schools , the expected contribution is often reduced. The theory is that the money your parents are paying for two kids in college is reduced to one. Some schools do not take into account aid and scholarships , one of the kids is getting; some do. Only way you get a good idea what the effect on fin aid having your brother currently in college is to ask CMU financial aid.
When two kids are in college…Profile schools typically are 60% - 60% meaning that 120% of what one student would be paying is what the family pays.
So…at a Profile school…You would be paying 100% of the cost…so yes a small %age less than 50%…but the cost to attend will likely increase in the ensuing couple of years too.
I suggest as @cptofthehouse suggested, that you contact CMU financial aid…and ask them this question. They won’t be able to give you a definite answer but they can tell you if your aid will decrease substantially.
But as I said…ask your parents if the money going toward your sibling can be directed to you for those last two years.
My parent don’t pay for my brother education, they only send money if he needs food.
It really, truly, is OK for you to as CMU about this.
Here’s the way it can work when there are two kids from same family in college; expected contribution reduced even if one of them has a scholarship, financial aid , or paying own way. Sometimes the formula prevails. So when that student is out of school, expected contribution still goes up for the remaining student. That may be what will happen here
OP, your parents are sending money to your brother. Question is not what the story is regarding what he’s using the money force but how much they are sending him. Is that going to be enough to pay for what you are going to need if CMU adjusts your aid package. Only they can answer that question. You can run the NPCs to get some idea what the difference in aid is for you when there is only one kid in college in your family.
Alright, thank you.