<p>Umm... this is probably a really stupid question, but would it still be possible for me to get financial aid - ANY type of fin aid - from Chicago if I applied EA and checked "no" in that area where they asked if you're applying for fin aid or not? That was a huge mistake on my part, but I'm hoping I can still rectify it...</p>
<p>Did you send the other paperwork (PROFILE, FAFSA, etc.) ontime and just forget to check the box?</p>
<p>Has your financial situation changed significantly you applied?</p>
<p>I am not sure if my answer will help you, but a couple of years ago my child applied EA and was deferred. She had checked off that no financial aid was needed on the EA application. Subsequently she was accepted regular admission and attends the school. I realized that we really did qualify for some financial aid at the time she was accepted regular admission and called the office of financial aid and told them that we wanted some aid if my child was going to attend. They agreed to open up the case and we ultimately did receive a small amount of financial aid both her first year and again the second year, so in our case they did agree to look at the issue even though the application originally said no we don't need it.</p>
<p>^^ That's good news.</p>
<p>Thank you for you responses! ohio_mom: No, I didn't send in any of the forms... :( Nothing drastic has happened - my family just realized that we MAY qualify for financial aid, when before we were sure that there was a zero-percent chance we'd get anything. Of course, that may still be the case, but tuition being the burden it is, I want to do whatever I can to relieve some of that. newenglandparent: Your story gives me a lot of hope! I guess the best thing for my family to do then is to contact the financial aid office ASAP?</p>
<p>"I guess the best thing for my family to do then is to contact the financial aid office ASAP?"</p>
<p>Yes, if you ran the calculators (or do the following) and your EFC < 50K. Remember that you can reapply next year.</p>
<p>xiggi posted this on parents forum - it should provide a more exact figure:</p>
<p>"Actually, this is a time where the government produces a crystal clear document. Years ago, I was able to build an Excel spreadsheet that allowed me to figure out the EFC to the penny, and this by simply using all the formulas detailed in this guide: </p>
<p>My suggestion is to abandon all the online calculators and spend a couple of minutes filling the forms using the above guide. In case you find a couple of definitions confusing, there are people on CC who are well versed in using the more detailed version of the above guide. Completing the FAFSA is NOT a very complicated matter and anybody can become a guru by paying a bit of attention to a few details. "</p>
<p>Correct link:</p>
<p>Our EFC was <$50K and we got nada from the preliminary estimates from the EA round. This weekend I start FAFSA and PROFILE, trying to squeeze blood from stones.</p>
<p>CountingDown - was it your institutional (profile) or federal (fafsa) methodology EFC? Our fafsa EFC is actually a bit lower than the profile estimate because we don't have that high an asset base relative to income. </p>
<p>Good luck in any case. Stock up on the soothing tea!</p>