<p>I went to the USD net price calculator and it allowed me to see the probable contribution my family and I would have to make. I'm from a low income family and even with the aid (including merit scholarships and grants that I would qualify for) it was calculated that my family would still be expected to pay $27,000 each year for my education. That would be 3/4th of my family's income. It says that this portion is usually paid with Parent Loans and outside scholarships. My parents would never qualify for a parent loan as I know their credit is quite poor and I don't have any outside scholarships. Does this just mean I wouldn't be able to go to that school, if accepted? I find it hard to believe they still expect the family to pay such a large amount when they simply cannot afford it. Your input would be very helpful.</p>
<p>Yes, it means that you wouldn’t be able to go to that school. Like most colleges, USD does not promise to meet your financial need, so it’s very possible to be asked to pay more than you can afford.</p>
<p>Thank you for the short, concise answer amarkov! :)</p>
<p>That’s what that means. If your parents a denied a Plus loan you can get an additional $4K from a Stafford loan. That’s all. </p>
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If colleges had an unlimited amount of money this would not be the case. I take it you mean U San Diego by USD? San Diego is a private school. They have costs they must pay. There are many less costly places to get your degree. U South Dakota (the true USD according to the internet) only costs $17K/year OOS. If you are IS for CA then you can always attend a CCC.</p>
<p>It sounds like you need to focus on finding a more affordable school. It is good that you are looking into this now, since you can concentrate on looking for schools that will cost less.</p>
<p>Oh, I should correct my post slightly. Not meeting 100% of need makes it more likely that you won’t be able to afford a school, but depending on your family’s financial situation even meeting 100% of need may not be enough. The level of need is based on the FAFSA results, and the FAFSA is not perfect.</p>
<p>Do keep in mind that this is just an estimator. You might get more financial aid; you might get more scholarship, once the school has your application in hand. You may also get less.</p>
<p>What is important for you and any student to do, even if the NPCs come out with acceptable, generous numbers, is to make sure there are some schools, at least one school that is affordable and will certainly accept you. By affordable, I don’t mean by estimate, but that you know you could go there even if the school itself doesn’t give you a dime. That your EFC via FAFSA perhaps guarantees you some Federal PELL money, maybe some state money, and of course the Stafford loans. Those are the things that you can pretty much count on getting.</p>
<p>If you have good grades and test scores, some schools that guarantee to meet need (USD is not one) might be good bets for you. The admissions is usually an issue on such schools. But once you have your base covered you can give all sorts of possibilities a whirl, knowing up front that they have to ante up the money for you, in order for you to go. Better you understand this up front. A lot of students reach the point where you are, within months of going to college.</p>
<p>USD doesn’t meet need. Because of that, it kind of has the rep of being a rich-kid’s school because many families pay a lot for their kids to go there.</p>
<p>Since your family is low income and has a low EFC, it will be very unlikely that you’d get enough aid to go there - even if you have high stats and get merit aid. </p>
<p>USD will give merit for very high stats, but their goal is to bring costs down to a UC…which is $30k per year. So, still not likely affordable. </p>
<p>The truth is that they really don’t expect your family to pay that much. They understand that most lowish income people cannot afford their school. Just like a Mercedes dealer doesn’t expect your family to buy a Mercedes, USD (and similar schools) don’t expect your family to pay/borrow for their product either.</p>
<p>What are your stats? GPA and test scores?? Maybe we can find a more affordable school for you. </p>
<p>Also, if you’re instate for Calif, and you have the right stats, then a UC may be the most affordable choice with the Blue and Gold promise.</p>
<p>totally agree with kelsmom. It’s very proactive of you to start now to find a school that is better financially fit for you and your family.</p>
<p>best of luck. it will all work out and you will find the perfect place and fit for you :)</p>
<p>"I find it hard to believe they still expect the family to pay such a large amount when they simply cannot afford it. "</p>
<p>They don’t. If your family can only afford burgers, you don’t order filet minon. If your family can only afford a Chevy, you don’t go buying a Lexus, right? Same deal with college. Many colleges will come up with a family contribution wayyyy above the calculated EFC from FAFSA. If you can’t afford it, move on. There will be schools that are affordable, the trick is to find them. Don’t get “hooked” on a favorite school…go to the best school your family can afford. If you apply and none of the schools are affordable, you can go to community college, or, take a gap year, work, and try applying to some different schools to see if you can get better aid in the form of scholarships and grants.</p>
<p>Most schools in this country are need blind in admissions. What that means is that they will accept an applicant regardless of ability to pay. The financial aid office then looks at the aid application and meets the student’s need the best it can within its budget. Most schools in this country do not meet 100% of most student’s need, or even close to it. Most schools that guarantee to meet need, by the way, define need themselves rather than using the FAFSA EFC,</p>
<p>When putting together a need package for a student, a lot of schools also take the students academic proflie into consideration, giving the top students full need met packages, and less as they go down the stats. That’s why, depending on what SDU’s NPC asked about you, the actual package may be quite different. Averages are just that, and may not apply to you. </p>
<p>Some famiilies want to exercise their right to borrow money to pay for a college that they cannot otherwise afford, and there are some loans like PLUS out there that might make it possible. Maybe they have some future assets coming. Maybe grandmom will help. There may be things in the financial picture that did not show up on the aid application. So it’s up to a family if they will try to meet what any given college says has to be paid and how the payments are made.</p>
<p>There are a few schools that are also need aware in admissions, and yes, those might reject you if they can’t meet your need. Those tend to meet the need of those students that they accept.</p>
<p>So if you really like SDU, and want to give it a go, do so. Just make sure you have some sure things on your list, because you can well see what your aid package may be from them.The</p>