@ricck1, @sherpa is right. I am a member of Princeton Class of 2019 and I had neglected to submit some documents for the FA review during SCEA. However, they still gave me some aid (where they get the data to determine the aid–no idea). As I received my FA package, I had contacted them to renegotiate my aid, and it worked perfectly. They were very helpful (the office, I mean).
@idsl1996 How did your FA award square with the Net Price Calculator?
Congrats!
@rednecktiger, tbh I didn’t use the net price calculator so I don’t know 
And one more question to those who might know. As far as I know, many schools require CSS profile from applicants where I basically explain all my expenses. However, Princeton never asked for my CSS or what my family expenses were. Only parents’ income, money spent on other children’s education, and medical care. I have no idea how you can have a proper financial picture of the applicant’s family based on the info above.
Any idea how does Princeton decides on aid?
If I remember correctly Princeton allows you to explain any unusual circumstances in a paragraph. Anything not covered in the form should likely be added there.
I went through the FA process at Princeton for my son and at Duke for my daughter. Both schools meet full need (as they calculate it) but their applications are different. Duke uses CSS and Princeton uses its own application.
I don’t pretend to know how either school calculates things, but Princeton’s application was much simpler to complete and their aid was much better.
Good luck!
@TwoTravelin, exactly what I did. But it still seem weird to put essential expenses as unusual expenses.
What do you mean by “family/essential expenses”? Princeton assumes that every family needs a certain amount to live on to cover basic needs. They are looking for extenuating situations that might not be covered in the app.
In answer to the question regarding the net price calculator, our son’s FA was almost exactly what we had worked out on the calculator initially, and has since increased with a sibling also in college.
@Cantiger, I would not assume family expenses are the same for students from different countries. A family from Vietnam spends far less than a family from Denmark does imo. That is why stating that every family needs certain amount of money would be foolish for Princeton.
I guess Princeton has its own way to determine aid for international students.
@idsl1996 - agreed and thanks for prompting clarification. Princeton has vast experience with having students from different countries and I believe they would have a grasp on economic variations. There are also variations within North America itself and my thought is that they would take some of these factors into consideration if there were significant discrepancies. Right at the top of the financial aid estimator it states “The Estimator will not provide accurate results for families living outside of North America”. So yes, the country of origin is taken into consideration in the financial aid process.
Are you an international student? If so, perhaps that’s why you need to include additional information about what you would consider to be “essential expenses”.
@Cantiger, yes I am an early admitted international student. That is why I was so worried how they would know about my essential expenses. I did indeed put it in the “Others” box. And I have to admit, the aid was very generous. Way more than I expected.
Congratulations! My son is also an international (a junior now at Princeton). Yes, Princeton is very generous, and the opportunities you will have while there are incredible. Enjoy!!
@Cantiger, thanks!
I sent an email asking whether I can still apply for aid. They haven’t replied yet and it’s been almost 5-6 days. What should I do?
@determined2300, wdym? I assume you haven’t indicated in CommonApp that you want to get aid? In that case, I think it is pretty hard to apply for one now. However, call the fa office. They are veryhelpful imo, and you might figure things out.
@determined 2300- If you have not sent your FA application I am afraid you cant send now as deadline was Jan 15 and not later than Feb 1
See this link
http://www.princeton.edu/pr/aid/pdf/1415/PU-aid-app-info.pdf
@determined2300 - They’ll accept FA applications past the deadline.
@sherpa
Thanks 
Just one small question.
I know the university will accept it. But will CollegeBoard accept the application? Like, the deadline for filling CB CSS profile was 15th Feb. Won’t it be now locked or something?
@determined2300
Princeton does not require the CSS Profile
@determined2300 did u indicate that u will be applying for fa on commonapp?