Questions about financial aid...

<p>Is it possible to call the financial aid office and "bargain" a lower EFC? I'm fine with taking out loans for myself but I don't want my parents to go through hardship. Has anyone here had any experiences/successes in explaining situations to the financial aid office and getting more aid (other than merit)?</p>

<p>And as far as merit aid goes, I've heard from some people that they have already given out merit aid for ED'ers. Does anyone know if this is true? Since I didn't receive any merit aid as of yet (I was accepted ED) do I still have a chance of receiving merit aid after the regular pool is accepted?</p>

<p>And one last question: I submitted the FAFSA today and noticed there was no place to include debts such as mortgage, car payments, etc... my family immigrated to the U.S. only a few years ago and so we are still faced with some debts and expenses of moving here that, if not included in my financial aid application, might give the impression that we are richer than we really are. Is this something we're supposed to explain to the financial aid office?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

<p>
[quote]
And as far as merit aid goes, I've heard from some people that they have already given out merit aid for ED'ers. Does anyone know if this is true? Since I didn't receive any merit aid as of yet (I was accepted ED) do I still have a chance of receiving merit aid after the regular pool is accepted?

[/quote]
Possibly... Rice did say that they are increasing merit aid, but it is unclear how/when this will happen.

[quote]
And one last question: I submitted the FAFSA today and noticed there was no place to include debts such as mortgage, car payments, etc... my family immigrated to the U.S. only a few years ago and so we are still faced with some debts and expenses of moving here that, if not included in my financial aid application, might give the impression that we are richer than we really are. Is this something we're supposed to explain to the financial aid office?

[/quote]
If it were me, I would wait until I received my financial aid package. If it was not satisfactory, I would present the FA office with the information about expenses left over from immigration, other unusual debts, and number of years at the present income level. Be prepared to provide documentation. They don't care about car loans etc. since those are a choice consumers make. The PROFILE asks for information about mortgages etc. along with home equity - so Rice already has that information. (You did have your parents file the PROFILE also, correct?)
We have found Rice to be very fair in the EFC it expects from us.</p>

<p>Yes we did fill out the PROFILE (you are talking about the CSS, right?) but conditions have changed a little since then. There was a promotion expected but it ultimately didn't come through, and the estimated EFC from the FAFSA did drop down after we filled it out, but it was just an estimate we got in the confirmation page.</p>

<p>How long does it usually take for us to get our financial aid package after we submit the FAFSA? Or do they start handing them out after a certain date?</p>

<p>Thanks anxiousmom.</p>