<p>Neither financial aid package has come in yet, but I already have a 10k a year scholarship at Purdue, so worse case scenario it will be about 10k a year, but probably less with aid and various little scholarships I have flying around.</p>
<p>There's really no way to guess on my CMU aid. My EFC is around 6000, but I think it's only because my parents have $5000 saved up. Otherwise, they can contribute basically nothing. But lets say worse case scenario 25k a year at CMU, maybe less? I will probably have to take out fairly large loans, whereas with Purdue I stand a chance at being loan free. (And I really don't like loans.)</p>
<p>In any case, how much money difference would it take for you to choose Purdue over CMU? I will be studying computer science and probably double in mathematics. You should also know that I liked CMU better after visiting both and have a strong hunch that I would be much happier at CMU, but I think I could get along well at Purdue also.</p>
<p>Here’s how I’d look at it. Decide, ahead of time, exactly how much you’re willing to take out in loans. If CMU doesn’t give you enough, or, if you can’t negotiate them down low enough, go for Purdue. I know that Purdue is ranked pretty damn high in terms of computer science</p>
<p>Well, I have my award letter now. If nothing else happens, I’m looking at 15-20k (probably 20) in loans each year not including interest at CMU. Purdue has not met about 5k of my first year’s need, but I can cover it with scholarships and saved up funds, so I’m loanless there. In any case, is it worth it to accept this debt for the superior education of CMU?</p>
<p>Also, what steps can I take to renegotiate the need (should I)? Should I write a letter or call?</p>
<p>It’s always worth a shot, but I’ve heard CMU doesn’t negotiate in terms of public universities. I think there’s some way on their website to request a form for negoation.</p>
<p>Thanks, but I can’t seem to find that request form. Does anyone have the link to it?</p>
<p>bump the last question!</p>
<p>"When our son was admitted three years ago, he got the FA package showing $0 aid. Somewhere in the brochure in the package was a little paragraph that discussed asking for a “Request for Review of Financial Aid Package”. It’s actually a one page form with that title - time was very short so we asked the FA office to fax us a copy. We faxed it back with a copy of the Penn FA printout from DS’s acceptance there - and ended up with a small grant for all four years. We also submitted an adjustment to DH’s income since it was coming in somewhat less than originally estimated. But the grant was clearly identified as merit and we were not required to ever submit more FA forms. Thank goodness! "</p>
<p>^From a thread two years ago, however, I haven’t been able to find said form</p>
<p>I’d recommend calling the financial aid office, and you’ll probably end up faxing your other financial aid offers</p>
<p>Yeah, I remember that form, too. It may have been taken off the site because of the change in the financial aid process. (I think I got a hard copy of it from a financial aid information session back when I visited.)</p>
<p>If you contact the FA office at CMU they will email you the form.</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone. I picked up a copy of the form when I visited.</p>