@staceyneil actually, what I meant was that I’ve already applied RD to 4 other colleges before I learnt about my acceptance at MHC…since we sign the ED agreement with the college, meaning we’ll retract other applications if we get an acceptance, I’m not sure if I’m supposed to do this because I don’t know if I’ll be going to MHC or not…it all depends on whether they give me at least $15000 in fin. aid…because, the only thing stopping me from attending MHC is no fin aid and the ED agreement won’t be binding if I tell the college I cannot afford it…does that mean that I’m allowed to keep my applications at the other colleges BEFORE I learn about any reviewal in my financial package?
A huge thank you in advance 
LeStrange - You should only apply ED if FA is not an issue. That is why last year I did not apply anywhere ED. I was accepted RD at MHC about the 3rd week of March and I think the FA came out shortly after that. So except for merit scholarships you may not know what your FA is until almost April.
Well, I would THINK that you have until whatever your “reply by” date is. When is that? It would make sense to me that you wouldn’t be required to withdraw your RD apps until you’re 100% committed to MHC, but I don’t know what the rules are for sure. You should probably call or email the admissions office and clarify this. They are very nice, and I’m sure they will let you know what’s required.
I’m under the impression that many posters here are international… and it’s really difficult for them to get an idea of financial aid before they apply (they don’t have the same tax info to enter into the Net Price Calculators that we do.) That being said, mibprincess is right- you should really only apply ED if you know you can pay.
@dyingseal hey you should email me!! this is my email is sarahangelaa001@gmail.com
@lovebutt96 awh well i hope you get in to other schools which i am sure you will!
Yes. Do not withdraw your RD applications. I will be honest though, unless the financial aid office made an egregious error, there is little chance they will change your aid offer by any significant amount.
International students’ EFC is derived from the same CSS Profile that is used for US citizens. They should not have a problem (most don’t) calculating their EFC within a few thousand dollars. I believe some students are disappointed in their aid award because they’re under the impression that a merit award is in addition to need-based aid. In reality, merit aid replaces grant aid dollar for dollar. It’s a matter of semantics. There are also students/parents who erroneously believe that the financial aid officers will take into consideration the amount they assert they can afford to pay toward the cost of attendance. They don’t — nor should they.
^ Yes, I understand that, but I think that when international students are attempting to fill in the NPCs, they have a hard time knowing what to put because they don’t have a US income tax form, so they can’t just copy over “Line xx on the 1040” or whatever. But I do agree that it’s most often a case of not understanding how the US financial aid system works. “Need” isn’t what your family can actually afford to pay.
Stacey, your sage advice and insights have been invaluable to countless individuals. You’re easily one of my, and I’m sure countless others, most admired contributors. However, I must respectfully disagree that international students have a hard time filling out the CSS profile. The profile questions are very straightforward and much of the requested information isn’t included on a 1040. A student (with parents input) should have no difficulty answering simple profile questions like: How much did your parents earn in wages, salaries, and tips in the most recent tax year?; How much other taxable income did your parents receive?; How much did your parents receive in interest and dividend income?; How much do your parents currently have in cash, savings, and checking accounts?..etc., etc.
If answering the CSS questions were so difficult that a significant number students were unable to calculate their EFC, there would be a plethora of international students at every top LACs breaking their ED contracts because “wishful thinking” didn’t produce the aid award they imagined or thought they deserved.
There is an international student, who attends Vassar, staying at my house for the weekend. He confirms that he had absolutely no problem filling out the NPC. Ditto his friends. A few kids’ experiences don’t necessarily reflect that of the majority, but…
Ah, well that’s great to know, thank you. I apologize - I must have misunderstood the complaints about the NPC I heard from a few international students…