<p>Hello everyone! So I guess I was a little bit too happy and prematurely accepted Harvard's offer without any word on financial aid. So I have a few questions:</p>
<p>1) Is it possible to get Harvard to reopen the system?
2) Am I allowed to apply to other schools despite accepting this offer (I have not paid enrollment deposit)?</p>
<p>Thank you for your advice. </p>
<p>Also, if I can reset it, is it best to request this over phone or by email?</p>
<p>First off, Harvard doesn’t require a deposit. </p>
<p>Secondly, if you prematurely accepted Harvard’s offer without word on financial aid, call them up and tell them the truth. I’m sure they can “reset” the system for you.</p>
<p>Just call them about FA - don’t ask them to “reset the system” or anything. Ask when you will get the FA determination, and when you get it, then you can decide if you want to change your mind.</p>
<p>If you “ask them to reset it”, essentially you are rejecting them. Wait and see the FA first.</p>
<p>Alright, I will wait until I get my estimate in the mail before pursuing further action. Am I still allowed to apply to other schools?</p>
<p>
I disagree. If you say “My family needs to compare financial aid offers before I make a decision” Harvard will understand. After all, they are Harvard and have the endowment to match or beat any other college’s offer. </p>
<p>
No, you made a commitment to Harvard. Admissions has put your file in the “Matriculating Student” pile. It wouldn’t ethically be right – to Harvard or other colleges – for you to apply after you’ve accepted Harvard’s offer.</p>
<p>Ask them to give you the aid estimate over the phone or to send it by email</p>
<p>Why would you wait until you got the estimate in the mail? Don’t they give estimates online? Why not call the FA office and flat out ask “do you have my FA estimate ready?” That would meet with the fewest questions.</p>
<p>There is no need to wait for the mail. Did you submit all the FA forms?</p>
<p>And run the NPC for Harvard if you have not already, that should be close enough for you to see if it is affordable:</p>
<p><a href=“Net Price Calculator | Harvard”>https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid/net-price-calculator</a></p>
<p>To be honest, Harvard will probably give you more aid than any other top school you’re applying to…</p>
<p>^^ Ivy league rules stipulate the “Ancient Eight” can NOT offer merit aid – they can only provide need-based aid, and must do so for all students on their campus, athletes and non-athletes alike. Colleges that offer a heavy mix of need-based and merit aid can sometimes offer more financial aid than Harvard. So, if money is a concern, it’s best to cast a wide net and see what shakes out.</p>
Most Ivies are closer to full need than other schools. If the student has an EFC of 99999, they won’t get any Harvard aid and that will be that. Might as well correct the acceptance to be no decision yet.
While that statement is true, each ivy calculates need based upon their own institutional formula. So while all ivies offer 100% of need, HYP’s 100% often beats the 100% that Cornell, Dartmouth or Brown can offer, as their endowments cannot keep pace with the riches of HYP. This has resulted in Cornell contemplating leaving the ivy league several years back as they keep losing athletic recruits due to more generous offers from HYP. See: http://cornellsun.com/blog/2008/02/21/financial-aid-threatens-ivy-competition.