<p>Is it possible, based on a family's circumstances, that the student could get a full ride, or almost, at Northwestern? Does anybody know of a time when this happened? If so, can you possibly detail a little on that student's situation and why they got such a good aid package? Thank you so much.</p>
<p>I'm sorry to bug, is there anyone who knows at all about free rides at Northwestern only? I don't think I will be able to afford a state school because of the lower financial aid package, so I'm hoping I get in at NU in hopes of an excellent aid package. Anyone can enlighten me on the best packages they've given? Please, it'd be much appreciated.</p>
<p>You should post your question on the NU site. Someone posted last year that they got quite the financial aid package. NU gives athletic and talent scholarships, but doesn't give merit aid. After you figure out your EFC, you will have a ballpark figure of what you may be looking at. Good luck.</p>
<p>Northwestern distributes their aid based upon your EFC. If you really want a full ride, your EFC should be less than $20,000. </p>
<p>NU does not give out merit aid scholarships.</p>
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If you really want a full ride, your EFC should be less than $20,000.
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</p>
<p>You would still not get a free ride under these circumstances because if your EFC (expected family contribution) is $20,000 this is the amount of money you and your family will be expected to pay.</p>
<p>Maybe Tenisgh means that your family should have a combined income of $20,000</p>
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You would still not get a free ride under these circumstances because if your EFC (expected family contribution) is $20,000 this is the amount of money you and your family will be expected to pay.
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Each year.</p>
<p>Okay, my mother works two jobs and barely makes about 35000 a year. She has a huge mortgage that she's barely made a dent into, car and insurance payments, bad credit, has no help whatsoever from my father, who is unemployed and speaks to us bimonthly, if that. We have no savings, no real assets. Our house is two missed payments away from being turned over to a bank. My mother claims that she cannot afford to give me any help at all because she simply can't afford any more bills. On top of that, the job I have goes towards helping her pay bills occasionally and buying my own personal needs. I have been getting social security benefits from my dad but they have all gone towards paying bills. What does anybody think Northwestern would give me as a package with that bit of info? Any help is much appreciated.</p>
<p>No one here can give you the absolute reassurance you want. Northwestern does meet 100% of demonstrated need, so you and your mother should probably sit down and use one of the online EFC calculators to see what your demonstrated need is likely to be (try the college board's site for one online EFC calculator). You also need to do some research about how Northwestern will treat the income/expected contribution from your non-custodial parent. I would suggest that you call Northwestern's Financial aid office an ask about that, as well as how the social security benefits will be looked at. The best place to get the answers you're hoping for is going to be Northwestern itself, not from heresay gathered on an internet message board.</p>
<p>With that said, keep in mind that nearly all financial aid packages are combined of different forms of aid - grants, loans, and work study. There are very, very few schools in the US that give ANYONE a financial aid package completely made up of "Free money" i.e., grants. Additionally, there will always be some costs of attending any college (books, transportation, personal expenses) that will not be covered by financial aid. In other words, it is unlikely that you will get a "full ride" at a non-merit school without having to pay something, whether it be loans, work study, or some other financial contribution. All of this is very important to keep in mind and plan for.</p>
<p>Some facts that may help you get an idea of what you can expect from Northwestern: </p>
<p>Students who applied for financial aid: 57%. Students determined to have need: 44%. Of those, 100% had their financial aid needs fully met.
The average first year financial aid package was $24,897 The average need based grant was $22,009, average loan amount was $2,424 and average work study/other form of financial aid was $3,942 </p>
<p>Of course, your mileage is likely to vary depending on your family's individual circumstances. Sit down with your Mom and figure out what you can anticipate having as demonstrated need, call Northwestern and get the details of how non-custodial income will be viewed, and discuss the alternatives and possiblities. Most importantly, have a backup plan in mind, such as remaining open to other schools if necessary. Good luck!</p>