<p>I'm a junior who was hoping to apply to some Ivy League schools: definitely Brown, and probably one other out of Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. However, I definitely do not have enough money to pay the tuition at any of these schools (I have about $60,000 total) and don't want to get a ton of loans. My family inherited a house from my grandparents worth around $400,000, which my parents are not willing to sell. </p>
<p>I used the financial aid calculator on Yale's website and it told me that I would not receive any need-based aid. Is there any solution to my problem? Can I get merit scholarships to help pay or do the Ivy League schools not have those? Is there any way for the schools to realize that I do need financial aid, without selling the inherited house? Because that will not happen, and it was my dream to go to one of these schools... Thank you for any help...</p>
<p>There are differences on how schools that meet need define it. THat’s why it’s great to have the NPC for schools. A major problem, however, is that the more generous the school, for the most part, the more difficult it is to gain entry. </p>
<p>Great that Harvard would give aid. But getting into H is about as likely as getting a full ride at a number of schools that don’t give good financial aid. In fact if you are H material, it is more likely that you get nice packages elsewhere than getting into H.</p>
<p>Your most important school on your list is the the one that you know will accept you and that you and your family can afford. Once you get that base covered , you can look for those schools where you have some chance of getting money of some sorts. It probably is not a good use of time and money to apply to schools that meet need only and your are far from their definition of need. But where merit money and where the definition of need fits, go to town after getting a school or two taht are safeties.</p>
<p>Thanks for the insight… I’m applying to 4 state universities, one of which is a safety and the others I’m like 95% sure I can get in. I just wanted to see which Ivies I should even bother applying to. </p>
<p>Also, Harvard says that you can send them a letter discussing financial situations to go along with your FAFSA… would that apply to me? I know that there’s a slim chance of getting into Harvard, but… it doesn’t hurt to try. I think I have a shot, other than the money.</p>
<p>The document Harvard will be more interested in is the CSS Profile. Yes, you can work with the financial aid office to increase your award by letters, emails or on the phone. They can’t do anything for you until you have an acceptance and an award so you aren’t going to be able to find out anything about money until you have been accepted.</p>
<p>This doesn’t have to be a choice between State schools or the Ivys. There are private schools that give merit aid. That might be a better way to bridge the gap between what you have and what you need.</p>
<p>No. Telling Harvard that your family doesn’t want to use their assets to pay for school isn’t going to coax them into giving you more. Those letters are effective when they have legitimate reasons why you can’t pay what they expect you to pay, ex. medical bills or a sudden change in finances or other unavoidable bills/fees that may not be reflected in your FAFSA/CSS.</p>