<p>What is insufferable is the ad hominem manner in which so many members of these sites respond to each other. “Think before you type.” Totally unnecessary. The point I was making is that everyone is telling Hammerman123 that there are strict rules to FA distribution and the truth is there are exceptions, many many exceptions. I used preferential treatment re: admissions as a simple example of a deviation from a seemingly strict process. However, Hammerman123 you would be better served if you leave these unhelpful forums (as it relates to this particular issue) and speak directly with the schools. Most of these folks here conjecture and do little more than posture as if they know the process better than anyone else. They don’t and that is evident in the lack of concrete answers. Hammerman123 go to the source and stop wasting your family’s time looking for proper direction from these folks.</p>
<p>Let’s think about this logically. These schools want to benefit from the kids they admit, so they make it easy for them to attend. How? Well, they lower standards for kids who happen to be bringing a new wing for one of the libraries, and they offer excellent FA packages for low-income world-class athletes (they actually get standards lowered for them, too, but that’s irrelevant). What they will not do, however, is waive tuition fees for developmental admits, for instance, or give start athletes more money than is needed to cover the gap between the family’s expected contribution and the cost of attendance.</p>
<p>I’m sorry for being harsh, CrewmommaNPoppa, but I was merely acquainting you and the OP with the dynamics of FA (and admissions, it seems)</p>
<p>Our EFC came out to approx $89K. Obviously we can afford to pay for college more than most people. But we could obviously benefit from a little financial aid thrown our way. Otherwise we are paying for a lot of the tuition from current salary (mine.)</p>
<p>So, Crew…are you really saying that the Ivies (or any other non-merit aid school) really would throw money our way if our child was the perfect candidate that you describe?</p>
<p>My understanding is that if you do not qualify for any financial aid…you won’t get a cent.</p>
<p>If you do qualify for some aid, there can be more flexibility.</p>
<p>What was your expereince with your oldest son…did you qualify for aid at the time?</p>
<p>Yes, that was my experience. We got aid from the school as well as other mixes of grants and outside monies to pay for almost his entire education. You have to know how to sell an exceptional child properly. We had money but not princeton full fee money. By the school’s aid calculator we were considered wealthy and did not qualify for anything. We met with the FA people and the athletic department and marketed our need and the result was very positive. You have nothing to lose if you are wiling go put aside pride. Good luck to you.</p>