<p>As thumper said–why is so important to go to NYU? There are plenty of cuny/suny schools to go to for less money. And better private schools. You seem so annoyed at NYU–why buy into their game? I hear nothing but negative stuff about that school anyway- from financials to their grad school for education being a waste of time! Had a friend in the first cohort of the NY Teaching Fellows who got a free master’s degree from NYU in education–he said it was a joke. (sorry to be painting the whole university with such a broad brush; I’m sure there are some people who feel they have gotten their money’s worth and a good education).</p>
<p>I get the feeling that there is some information is being left out.</p>
<p>NYU is known for not being a place where “poor people” can go. It is doubtful that many middle class people can go there either.</p>
<p>If you are a parent with the background that you indicate you have, you should have lived enough life to know that we can’t always get what we want, and that there are no free lunches.</p>
<p>I think you son should be looking at SUNYs or CUNYs; or if his stats are good enough someplace like Colgate (which gives excellent aid to lower income applicants).</p>
<p>My younger D wanted in the worst way to go to NYU, but as soon as I looked at their financial aid policies I knew that was a pipe dream and she needed to have other options. She started at Brooklyn College (a CUNY), and then transferred to Smith.</p>
<p>Much luck to you!</p>
<p>Education schools are normally a joke. If my kid goes that way I will pull him right out of there. Their psych program is the best one he got into and his ability to crossover into related areas using nyc is unparralleled. The financial aid department really gives the place a black eye, but I know a number of people who got their phd’s at nyu. There are some good people who teach there. If my son gets into Illinois/Urbana, they have a better psych dept for 60% less. NYU forced me to accept early decision without accurate info on the financial side. If the financial package ultimately does not work and my son get’s into Illinois, he’ll want to go there. An admissions officer at NYU said if he can’t afford it as we discover later, they will let him out of the ed agreement. Right now i am pursuing what is best, and willing to change when necessary. But the change needs to represent value. Meanwhile, NYU’s actions introduces more volatility into their student pool, as it should.</p>
<p>I went to a financial aid seminar at nyu and saw them giving a 17 year old kid who really needed aid the same sort of misinformation. Waste his time, pull his chain, discourage him, send him on wild goose chases. The people in the audience picked up on it and were disturbed. If these people really help those in need, show me where? I would like to know that…</p>
<p>NYU forced me to accept early decision without accurate info on the financial side.</p>
<p>Actually no one forced your son to apply to NYU ED. It was a choice that you and your son made.</p>
<p>I don’t want to enter the debate as to whether or not NYU is a good school or not, but it is widely known that NYU does not meet need. While NYU probably has a fine psychology department, it can’t possibly be the only good one. Most undergrad psych degrees aren’t all that specialized, that is what grad degrees are for.</p>
<p>As for disparaging NYU’s education school… Well besides being offensive to the many teachers who frequent CC (for the record I am not a teacher), are you only allowing your son to go to NYU if you approve of his major (psych or math)?</p>
<p>You are ignoring the reality of 1040 versus 1040a. Again no one is forcing you to file one way or the other. You want the tax advantage of 1040, but the financial aid benefit of hidden assets from filing the 1040a. Those “truly” in need don’t have substantial assets or the dilemma of which tax form to fill out.</p>
<p>First, you do not have until MAY to accept or decline the ED acceptance. If you wait THAT long you may find that your son has no where to attend college.</p>
<p>Second, UIUC will have the same criteria as NYU. They don’t meet full need. You will be OOS for Illinois and costs will be high (maybe not as high as NYU but still high). UIUC will also review your tax filing and make a determination regarding it’s accuracy. If it’s not accurate, they are REQUIRED to make the necessary changes on your FAFSA. If you get selected for verification (a higher %age of $0 EFC students do), you will have to send in your tax returns and other documentation that proves your filing status is accurate. </p>
<p>Third…you said it yourself…you know folks who got their advanced degrees at NYU. That is the way to go…get the undergrad degree elsewhere at an affordable place, and perhaps your son will do well enough to get some kind of graduate assistantship or fellowship for grad school.</p>
<p>Fourth…selecting a school based on the ONLY major is perhaps not the best idea. MOST college students change majors multiple times. Your son may think he wants a particular major now (or you do) but this could very easily change once he starts the coursework. PLUS if he’s going to be doing half the work off campus…what’s the point in paying all that money to NYU?</p>
<p>Fifth. Private schools are expensive. NYU does not meet full need. MOST colleges do not meet full need for all accepted students. That is the way it is.</p>
<p>If my son is not going to derive much benefit from NYU, I will not send him there at extreme cost. Why would anyone do that? I did not mean to disparage teachers, but the rigor of an ed masters is known to be weak compared to say a masters in engineering. The economic payoff after school also fits the pattern. That is just reality. Yes I want the tax benefits of a 1040 plus the grant, BECAUSE I don’t have that much money. If you genuinely understand how money works, you would know that significant assets and no income (or prospects thereof) for a 50 year old is not a very good situation. It is easy to say “gee look, he has money, let him spend it.” Later on in life you will see that person on public assistance/homeless. You should not wonder why. From the prospective of a financial professional (I was one for 20 years), the fafsa calculations actually take this into consideration correctly. If NYU used professional judgment, they would classify me as a dislocated worker and not require a 1040a. They did not even ask what my case for a dislocated worker was, but just rejected it without any information. Then when I tried to find out how they would view me if I file a 1040a at a cost of 2k (mainly related to health care), they told me they would not answer. If they make me risk 2k to find out if they will let me receive the 5k, they figure I’ll just walk and not file for fa. Then they placed my son in a situation where he had to make his ed commitment without really knowing his financial situation, when they claim they do the opposite. This is all a pattern of harassing impoverished students. NYU advertises they don’t meet need, but do they advertise that their ed financial aid package is designed to be deceptive if you have need? Do they advertise that they will employ misinformation to discourage you from applying for legitimate fa? </p>
<p>Yes, I make my own decisions. No, I’m not trying to debate anyone. I am just trying to present reality. Your forum is very helpful. In order to help people most effectively, you need to see reality up close. NYU themselves determine eligibility for fa irrespective of fafsa formulas, so no one is guaranteed fa just because fafsa offers it. And above you can see the nature of the fa process at nyu. Thanks for the help and best of luck.</p>
<p>At Illinois, the sticker price is half of NYU, so there won’t be a need for grants. Otherwise, I agree with thumper1’s arguments. If the stars align where I can do that, I will, but they are not there at this moment (my son gets his answer from Illinois in March)</p>
<p>And one more thing.</p>
<p>Providing false information on the FAFSA to derive financial benefit via federally funded aid is considered FRAUD. You run the risk of losing any financial aid awarded AND your kiddo also could lose his admission offer.</p>
<p>Why would I provide false information? I say I will file a 1040a and I file it…</p>
<p>Steve, you are hearing what you want to hear. Your plan has as many holes in it as swiss cheese. Go ahead and do what you want. BUT don’t be surprised if NYU (and other schools) choose your child for verification and then reduce your financial aid as a result of the supporting documents you will be required to provide to them.</p>
<p>I file a 1040a consistent with the info on [FinAid</a> | FinAid for Educators and FAAs | Simplified Needs Test Chart](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid) . They ask for my return. I spoke with the irs on the return. The will ask me for the cost on some sales and I will show I took losses. I will tell them I waive the right to deduct the losses (zero benefit federally anyway), just like someone waives the right to itemize so they can file a 1040a. The won’t ask about my health care deductions because i won’t take them. I answer the fafsa form saying I file a 1040a. I’ve looked at the verification documents. What am I missing? How is this fraud?</p>
<p>The IRS will allow you to file a 1040A up to $100,000 of AGI.</p>
<p>HOWEVER, you are only eligible for simplified needs for federal financial aid up to $49,999 of AGI.</p>
<p>That might be the confusion here.</p>
<p>My agi is under 30k.</p>
<p>Steve, the fact remains that no matter what your income is and no matter what your financial need is…NYU is under NO OBLIGATION to meet your need. If you have sufficient assets to be able to pay in the $200,000 range for your child’s education at NYU, then go for it. BUT don’t expect NYU to give you a financial aid package that will meet your need. They probably won’t.</p>
<p>I don’t think he is asking for them to meet his need, he just want his son to be able to receive his Pell Grant especially if he meets the federal eligibility.</p>
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<p>NYU is over $50 grand, but you have $25 grand a year to pay?</p>
<p>I have to agree with the poster that wrote that there is obviously something else going on here. If I made under 30K there would be no way I could even look at anything other than a CUNY or more likely community college. Illinois should be off the table as well.</p>
<p>I believe he wants the Pell in addition to whatever it is that NYU awarded his son via an ED estimated finaid award. My guess is that IF NYU awarded the Pell, they would reduce any grant money from NYU by the amount of the Pell award.</p>
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<p>Yes that is true. Stevens IT reduced their grant by the amount of Pell as well. You can’t have it both ways anywhere.</p>