@billcsho Yes, that does appear to contradict with her statements in the thread. Bringing up Columbia like @blprof did isn’t relevant (since you can get offers but go elsewhere) but URM is a binary option that you can’t change (though it shouldn’t effect need-based financial aid), and considering $80k/yr “low-income” is just hugely out of touch, unless maybe we’re talking about $80k in a VERY high cost of living area.
I’ll still continue some hope that she’s right about the offer (even if other things contradict) and that I could possibly be eligible for the Provost’s, but won’t be holding my breath due to the contradictions you cite, which do call into some question.
$80k is still on the low-end of OOS Michigan attendees, so they could potentially be considered some of the neediest in the eyes of the university. The flip side to that, of course, is that if they do not get the financial aid they need, many in that income bracket simply go elsewhere instead of taking on the rest as debt. Since the university only publishes data for enrolled, not admitted students, I don’t think there’s anywhere we’d find that information.
@infiniteCircle No problem, I love going on these data-mining scavenger hunts.
Let me tell you what they (and probably other colleges) do. FA offices are allowed to fiddle around with the numbers on your CSS however they want in order to give you the FA they want you to have. They can take money out of one category and put it into another category that doesn’t “count.” I have seen it done. And I have seen Michigan do it. They key is to send a letter that explains unusual circumstances that are not reflected on the Fafsa and CSS. Of course, you only do this if you indeed have unusual circumstances.
This discussion is going in circles, but @CautiousOptimist, here is excanuck’s post wor-for-word:
“I’m a candidate from last year. URM, female, low income. Lower test scores. I applied and was admitted RD. I went to Columbia in the end but you are definitely “admissible”. And you will get all the financial aid you need.”
@blprof yeah, but the fact that they attend Columbia doesn’t matter. The low-income vs 80k and the URM vs non-URM are contradictory and thus red flags, but they presumably got their FA offer from Michigan before electing to attend Columbia.
Maybe it was a stupid thing for me to nit-pick, though.
What is a “red flag”? According to Columbia’s financial aid program, with a family income of $80K and children in college, I am eligible for their ‘low income’ financial assistance program and indeed receive a grant that covers everything (Columbia doesn’t make you take loans). I also had a 1950 SAT. As for being URM, again according to Columbia the fact that I am of Spanish descent makes me one. I however consider myself Spanish and not Hispanic and so wouldn’t ever call myself a minority. In Europe, we are considered white.
@billcsho I frankly don’t care what you believe. However, an $80 family income with dependents makes you eligible for Columbia “low income financial assistance” initiative, which covers 100%. It is Columbia (and Harvard) that calls $80K low income. As for being URM, I’m Spanish. By the universities definition, that makes me a URM even though I am European.
@excanuck99 If it’s within the context of Columbia’s definitions that’s a different story, but surely you should be able to see why these contradictions, to someone not innately familiar with Columbia’s specific definitions, $80k is far more than “low-income” (50% of American households earn less than 50k) and I don’t know how you could expect us to know about your oddly unique URM case.
I’m satisfied with your explanations, they’re plausible enough. But surely you must be able to see why having things that appear to be contradictory would make us doubt your unsubstantiated and anonymous claims.
Obviously, family income is not the only factor when calculating the financial aid just as in NPC. For instance, the number of dependents and location are critical factors in the calculation. For whatever any reason that you are considered low income by one school may also apply in another school. Other students from a $80k income family are not likely to be as lucky as you do. Just look at their sample family profile and you will see. Again, the best way is to check the NPC with one’s only family profile information. $80k is >25% higher than median household income and can hardly be considered low income in most situation.
@CautiousOptimist “Unsubstantiated and anonymous claims”? Every single post on here meets that definition. Frankly, I was just sharing my experience. Doesn’t really concern me whether you choose to believe it. As for “Columbia’s” definitions, they are the same definitions used by all the Ivy League universities, as well as the Claremont Colleges, Wesleyan, Williams, Vassar etc. All these universities now have similar policies.
@excanuck99 Yes, every single post is unsubstantiated and anonymous. Therefore anyone attempting to find any useful information on this board has to be looking for things that are fishy. I’m not saying I don’t believe you anymore, I just find it strange how on a board where the users believe each other on the faith that the other is trustworthy, you’re getting so defensive when people identified information that could have indicated that your information was not necessarily truthful. Of course this is all besides the point of the FinAid at the University and is pretty much petty back-and-forth so at this point it would be best if both sides simply drop it.
I’m new here and have never before posted but am amazed at how nasty people are being. What is it with the “red card” and “suspicious” comments and then the “I don’t care what you think” retorts. We’re mostly students and applicants sharing information. Why the amateur sleuthing? I frankly don’t see what people would gain by posting incorrect information. I’d also rather hear from an admissions or financial aid official, or a current student, than other high school seniors speculating.
@Brexit99 You must remember you are dealing with nervous high school seniors. Bravado comes naturally. Read the “chance me” posts for a laugh. Applicants chancing applicants.