<p>First of all I agree with everything that Thumper has already said.</p>
<p>If you are in deed from the lovely country of Japan, please keep in mind that most universities in the U.S. are not need blind to international students so your ability to pay will be a factor in your admissions.</p>
<p>Financial aid for international students is extremely limited and is awarded on the basis of both exceptional qualifications and demonstrated need.* Wesleyan expects to provide financial assistance to approximately 15 international students from a pool of over 400 such applicants. *No financial aid is available for transfer students who are not US citizens or eligible non-citizens.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.wesleyan.edu/finaid/prospundergrad.html#International%20Students%5B/url%5D">http://www.wesleyan.edu/finaid/prospundergrad.html#International%20Students</a></p>
<p>
[quote]
I'm applying ED to a school that has a hefty price-tag (more than 40000+ a year, including room, board, books, etc.)
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Is this EFC based on just putting your numbers through the FAFSA? I see from some of your other posts that you are interested in Wesleyan. Like Thumper already stated, this school will also require a CSS profile, which will look at your assets much more deeply than the FAFSA does. If your parents are homeowners, own their own business, etc. I would expect your EFC to be higher than the 18,000 you anticipate.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I know that my family definately cannot carry that load (EFC says about 18000 a year). However, that school is also need-based, which means they will put together a fin. aid package that will cover what my family can't afford to pay, right/
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Need based finanicial aid based on the following premise;</p>
<p>cost of attendance- EFC (family & Student) = Demonstrated need. Wesleyan has a 1900 student contribution freshman year, Sophomore & Junior year-$2,100 Senior year $2,150</p>
<p>THe college determines the demonstrated need based on your income and assets and that of your parents. IF your parents cannot afford the EFC (expected family contribution) as determined by the school, they will have borrow the money as the school does not give you money toward your EFC.</p>
<p>Your demonstrated need will be met as the following;</p>
<p>Student self help (your loans and work study)</p>
<p>Right now Wesleyan's loans are as follows:</p>
<p>First-year Student $3,925
Sophomore $5,900
Junior $5,500
Senior $5,500</p>
<p>Work study is as follows:</p>
<p>First-year Student $2,300 Junior $2,400
Sophomore $2,400 Senior $2,500</p>
<p>Lets do the following scenario:</p>
<p>Say you get accepted to Wesleyan ED and your Parent's EFC is 18000.</p>
<p>The current cost of attendance is 44,434</p>
<p>44,434-19,900 = 23,534 (your demonstrated need which Wesleyan will meet)</p>
<p>Your demonstrated need will be met as follows:</p>
<p>Self help- 6225 broken down as
student loans 3925
Work study 2300</p>
<p>Grant- 17,309</p>
<p>If you and your family can work with these numbers (expect the EFC to be higher based on your assets and the grant aid to be lower) then apply ED. But if your parents are going to have a problem paying the 18,000+ EFC, then DO NOT APPLY ED.</p>