<p>After getting 3 acceptance letters for my son of the 4 schools we applied to, but waitlisted for FA at all 3 of them, receiving a letter today that included a substantial amount of FA was just the most amazing feeling. It was a late application to a school with rolling admission, Skype interview, no visit, but it's been called similar to his top choice and only rejection letter. </p>
<p>Anyway, the FA is about $10K short of what PFS calculated we would need and that number was already a bit of a stretch. And the school is 15hrs away (driving) so I've got to factor in flights home whereas another school we applied to was only 2.5hrs away and wouldn't cost much as far as traveling. Before getting this letter, I had conceded to sending him to the LPS and applying bigger and wider for 10th grade. Now I'm hesitant to turn this down since its the first FA we've received. I don't think I'm thinking logically and that's what people here on CC do best, so I'm looking for advice/insight/feedback. </p>
<p>You’ll get many smarter answers from others who have gone through this painful dance more recently. I just wanted to say that it’s great news and I (along with a lot of others on this site) are sending you positive, creative vibes for making it work!</p>
<p>thank you! Positive vibes are always good. I just left a message with one of the schools he was accepted too, figured I’d could talk to the AO we worked with and at least try and get a bit of insight on chances of acceptance and FA as a sophomore if he was accepted without FA as a freshman and we decline. I’m gonna tap every resource I can for some real data if possible. But I’m certain we’ve got some parents here who have been in this spot. </p>
<p>After collecting your data, and making a decision, you may want to call the school and let them know that you are a) incredibly grateful for and awed by their offer and b) excited to become a part of their school community but that you wouldn’t be able to attend without a bit more aid. Sometimes schools might be able to come up with some more cash if they know a student will be attending; if your child is also above their traditional admissions standards, there might be some appeals there as well.</p>
<p>Great idea! Now the question is, should I do this before or after brainstorming for every possible method of coming up with some extra cash? If I call to decline and they don’t offer more then it might over, right? The paper says I have until June 10 to reply and send in deposit. </p>
<p>Another idea is to tell the school your situation and see if you can get an assurance of need being met in future years. In other words, scrimp to make it this year (or get a loan) and then plan on more aid in the future. Of course, you will need to have a very frank talk with the director of FA. But they know that their offer falls short; they’ve got your financials. But it could be that since this was a late applicant, the award you were offered is a stretch for the school as well this late in the game.</p>
<p>Going to boarding school is a privilege and a choice. Our family started this process with full understanding that it would require immense sacrifices and we were right. Based on my experience make your decision with the following 3 things in mind
You wont get any more FA for this year. The school has no more money to give
Whatever you think the first year will cost you, you have underestimated it by a few thousand $'s
On the other hand, your FA award will be increased every year. Ours has increased slightly more than the annual tuition increases</p>
Some schools will accept people without FA, despite their requesting it (I know NMH has been known to do that, for example), thinking you might be able to swing the tuition anyway. It means they think you’d be a good addition to their school, but not quite as good as the people they granted FA to ahead of you. Some schools don’t want such decisions to affect their yield, however, so have been known to call ahead, tell you they are thinking of making you an offer without FA and see what you say. If you don’t commit, they won’t make the offer. This happened to 2 different people we know the year my son applied. Both people had other offers WITH Financial Aid, so said over the phone they could not accept without FA-- and then got rejection letters in the mail a couple weeks later.
After you fill out the form by SSS by NAIS there will be a page which goes over the information you listed and at the end it will estimate the parent’s expected contribution. I forget where it is, but look around and your parents should be able to find it. There is also a section on the application where you can list how much you think you can afford. I think that often these numbers can differ.
I just looked at it. When you log in you get to the dashboard. On the Bottom left column there is a place that says “view family report”. That will open up a new window and at the bottom of that report it states what the estimated family contribution is.
@Momto4kids: Yep, I see it now. The total listed for the Estimated Family Contribution is quite a small amount–is that a good or a bad sign? The total that my parents put in the PFS (the amt willing to pay) is about 5x the amount listed.
It’s not good or bad. It’s just an estimate based on their financials. Schools have different ways of handling the figures. I would bet, however, that most schools would go with the amount your parents stated they could afford, particularly if it is more. Ours didn’t match for my son and the school chose to give us almost the exact amount which I said I could afford.