<p>Ugh, I wanted to edit my previous post but I timed out…
This is what I wanted to add/change:</p>
<p>And Rice is going to look at your parents’ combined income, savings, and some other stuff to determine parental contribution. They will look at your earnings/savings to determine your contribution. I’m fairly certain they don’t care what your sibling(s) make unless they’re listed as your guardians. If your mom and dad make < 80k, YOU will not be expected to take out a loan, but THEY will still be expected to contribute. YOU will likely be offered work-study and maybe grants in your aid package (depending on your parents’ data), and your parents will be expected to pay the remaining amount. </p>
<p>total cost - (your grants + your work/study + your loan) = parent contribution</p>
<p>However, you said that your dad has a large savings. Rice looks at that. They will allow for a certain amount of savings for retirement (based on age), as well as home equity, etc. But if he has more than that amount, they will expect him to contribute from it, and if he refuses that is a huge problem. Why doesn’t he want to pay for your college education? Would he rather you not go to college or go to a cheaper/state school?</p>
<p>The FinAid office does usually listen if you have a good argument, but that’s more like a parent who can’t financially contribute for some reason… not just a parent who doesn’t want to. I would say that your mom will likely suffer for your dad’s decision and will have to pay for the both of them… but idk. Talk to FinAid if you’re concerned. At this point I would recommend applying RD, as ED is too risky.</p>
<p>@Antarius: You’re right about the divorced parents issue. I shouldn’t have said “doesn’t want to.” I meant like, they dont even pay child support because they are not able to, not just that they don’t want to… The child support debt helps to give some proof that they cannot pay. Or some other similar issue.</p>
<p>“I would say that your mom will likely suffer for your dad’s decision and will have to pay for the both of them… but idk.”</p>
<p>that pretty much sums up what i was saying as well. </p>
<p>reid is right in saying that if you CANNOT afford Rice and need Fin aid then u can apply and opt out. if your parents DONT WANT to pay, then its probably better to RD because u can get screwed over otherwise</p>
<p>My dad believes that I should pay entirely for my own college experience because he paid for his own without outside parental help. He’s retired now and gets more scrooge-ish by the day. We had a broken air conditioner all last summer in 100+ degree weather…</p>
<p>But anyway, what you’re all saying is that unless I can get him to agree to help pay, I should apply RD?</p>
<p>yes. because rice will see his income and assets and therefore NOT give you need based aid. From Rice’s standpoint whether you want to pay is your own problem, they help people who CANT pay.</p>
<p>I think you need to work something out with your parents such as you will pay back xxx amount or whatever but otherwise it wont be pretty</p>
<p>Okay, thanks! I honestly didn’t come to this thread hoping for this much information, but I’m glad I visited. No one I’ve met on CC so far has been this helpful.</p>
<p>Serenefire, I had a previous discussion with another member on CC about this. I did bring up the issue of parents not wanting to pay for their student education. I did discuss these kind of situation with my college counselors. The best thing to do is this: in a written statement, have your parent (preferably the one that will contribute to your tuition) tell the FA about your situation. Also have you college counselor write a written statement (with the school letter head and sealed envelope) to the FA about your situation.</p>
<p>So I’ve already started on my app and am hoping to apply ED.
My major concern is that ED will hurt my chances of getting the same financial aid as RD.
Is this true? Money is certainly an issue. My parents aren’t in the 80k though.</p>
<p>Also, has anyone visited yet. I’m planning on going in early Oct. or late Sept. for a few days. I can’t wait. :)</p>
<p>Antarius, I agree with what you said. Everyone would claim their parents wouldn’t pay for college if they could get the extra financial aid–that’s what makes the situation tricky.</p>
<p>I’m applying ED to Rice too, and I’ve started on the CommonApp but the supplemental application hasn’t come out yet, according to the CommonApp website.</p>
<p>I really wish Rice gave us the Early Action option as well, since it’s non-binding. </p>
<p>So I’m guessing Rice gives pretty much no merit-based scholarships for ED applicants? Since we have to attend anyway if we’re accepted?</p>
<p>Do you mean just visiting, or for your interview, too? Rice has a really nice campus. I live in Houston, so I’ve been there quite a few times.</p>
<p>When do you think is the best time to schedule an on-campus interview? I think you can sign up online, but for some reason the website said every single slot was full.</p>
<p>“So I’m guessing Rice gives pretty much no merit-based scholarships for ED applicants?”</p>
<p>All accepted students regardless of ED or RD get equal oppurtunity for merit scholarship. If I’m not wrong, you send FA forms after the ED deadline and I think after you hear from your results.</p>
No you send in financial info when you apply ED. They send a need-based FA offer when they accept you ED. Merit money may come later (after the complete class has been decided).</p>
<p>Does anyone know how high school GPA is calculated? Do they weight AP and/or Honors classes? Do they include 9th grade courses? Thanks for your insight.</p>
<p>haha yay my thread got ressurected!!
Because I LOVEE RICE!! alot of smart people apply to my school (in houston) and barely only a very few get in:(</p>