<p>I was accepted to Penn and was all geared up about going, but they decided not give me any aid. We told them on our documents that my father, who is the non-custodial parent, does not contribute at all to our household. We even provided them with the divorce decree that indicated that he had no responsibility to contribute in anyway, something that he took full advantage of. </p>
<p>So, they do the calculations like we're a normal family and say, "You should be able to go no problem!" ignoring the aforementioned situation. As a result, I will be going to Columbia.</p>
<p>Me: Father does not contribute to the household.</p>
<p>Penn: looks like he could, so he should, and if he isn't, too bad.</p>
<p>I guess my mom could afford Penn. She could use 100% of her savings, be really stingy so that we can take from her yearly income without it affecting our standard of living (cheaper food, no heat, no AC, no more cable TV or DSL), and then take out $46,000 in loans.</p>
<p>I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Did you tell the Penn people that you got a better deal at Columbia? (No exactly with that wording, but you know what I mean)</p>
<p>I did. Penn has their scholarship deadline several months before the application deadline for general studies students (what I am) applying for the fall. So I got an $8,000 merit based scholarship for being in PTK (honor society for two year colleges) that I was not eligible for through Penn. I actually missed the deadline for Columbia too by several months (as opposed to missing it by 2 months with Penn). But, you know what, THEY WERE NICE ENOUGH TO LET ME APPLY ANYWAY and then give it to me as well.</p>
<p>I've discovered that as a college of general studies student that I could actually go to Penn for less than Columbia if I stick to night courses. Granted, I'd have to take at least one SAS course per term, it still would cost less than Columbia. Of course, it also looks like Penn is obnoxious when it comes to transfer credits too. They only tell you what transfers after one semester at Penn! Unlike Columbia, who told me right away. Either way, both schools have a lot of requirements that have to be met.</p>