<p>As we head into Senior year, we have had some unexpected, but significant medical expenses this year, as well as in 2012. It has definitely affected our ability to save for college. When I have run NPCs at various colleges, I have only had one ask about medical expenses. Will schools routinely ask for that info on the Profile though? Or, is there a place to add it in a section like "other pertinent info"? Or is that something that will only come into play if we need to appeal a financial package in April?</p>
<p>Yes, the Profile has questions that ask about uncovered medical expenses for the past and next tax year (I can’t post a link here as it’s to a commercial site, but if you google ‘profile medical expenses’ you will get a site that lists all the Profile questions). Here is some information from the CB about professional judgement concerning medical expenses (IM= Institutional Methodology): </p>
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<p>Of course, colleges will vary in how they deal with these expenses.</p>
<p>There is a place to add it in the PROFILE.
However, unless it is a VERY signficant amount, it is unlikely to alter aid package.</p>
<p>Thanks. :)</p>
<p>My school is not a PROFILE school, but they were willing and able to negotiate my package with us regarding medical expenses.</p>
<p>When I got my financial aid package in late March, it was a disappointment - $13k/yr less grant aid than the NPC anticipated (and the NPC asked for medical expenses). As it turns out, this was a mistake on the FA office’s part, and we called every day for a week until we finally caught my officer.</p>
<p>After explaining the situation (family paying almost 10% of yearly salary for out-of-pocket expenses not covered by insurance), they were more than happy to give us the $13k and an additional $4k for this upcoming year provided we sent them the exact amount of $$$ we spent on medical expenses (they apparently had this grant to give to anyone that spent more than $X a year on such things). I do not expect to get the $4k next year as we paid slightly more in 2012 than we have this past year (thank goodness, we are all slightly healthier than usual 
), but in the end I’m paying well below my family’s EFC for a wonderful private college. I’m extremely lucky, fortunate, and grateful.</p>
<p>So basically, it never hurts to call/appeal…medical expenses are serious business and colleges take them seriously, too.</p>
<p>Absolutely, put a folder together presenting the expenses to personally give to fin aid offices for appeal purposes. That way you have it ready. Even if the numbers are in the PROFILE, it makes it more real. It’s something that allows you to open up a discussion on your aid package without looking like you are negotiating,as you have a tangible issue.</p>