<p>I know alot of colleges offer a "Financial Calculator" that lets you type in your information. Then, it gives you a rough estimate of how much need you will receive. </p>
<p>For some reason, I cannot find one for RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology). Does anyone know a good alternative? Or maybe a private site that has a calculator? Thanks for the help.</p>
<p>Using another college’s calculator won’t work because each school uses a different formula and has different amounts of aid to give. If you used a calculator from another school that is generous, how would that help you?</p>
<p>Many schools don’t have those calculators, so it’s possible that RIT doesn’t have one. </p>
<p>What is your situation?</p>
<p>how much will your family spend? If you don’t know, ask.</p>
<p>What is your likely FAFSA EFC?</p>
<p>If you don’t know… Quick EFC<br>
[FinAid</a> | Calculators | QuickEFC](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Quick EFC - Finaid)</p>
<p>Do you have a non-custodial parent?</p>
<p>Thanks for all the help you’ve been giving to me mom2collegekids, I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>Well, my situation is that I would like to become a Software Engineer at RIT. My EFC is 10,000 according to the government “Fafsa4Caster”, but it fluctuates by a few thousand from site to site. I am black (I believe there is a need-scholarship for minorities there), and my parents intend to pay absolutely nothing for my college education. I do not have a non custodial parent. My mom recently lost her job in february, and is on unemployment benefits. I suppose that makes her a “dislocated worker”. My dad continues to work. </p>
<p>My academics are alright. I have pretty much straight A’s, and I have a 1800 on my SATS. I participate in a variety of activities outside of school. That means I qualify for a plethora of 6K-9K scholarships. RIT will only take your highest one, however.</p>
<p>…Thats pretty much my situation :)</p>
<p>Oh, and RIT’s COA is 38,000. I am very afraid that I will have to end up paying like, 20K a year even though I can’t afford it…</p>
<p>Then you need to consider some other less expensive alternatives. I notice all your posts are about RIT. Don’t fall in love with a school. Are you in-state for NY? If so have you looked at the SUNYs or CUNYs?</p>
<p>Actually, the cost of attendance at RIT is higher (and each year will go up, so keep that in mind).</p>
<p>Out-of-state tuition and fees: $30,717<br>
Room and board: … $10,044 </p>
<h2>Books and supplies:… $1,050 </h2>
<p>Basic costs…about $42,000 (for the CURRENT school year)</p>
<p>Estimated personal expenses: … $725 (this is underestimated)
Transportation expense: … $300 (This is low unless you don’t live far away)</p>
<p>*My EFC is 10,000 according to the government “Fafsa4Caster”, but it fluctuates by a few thousand from site to site. I am black (I believe there is a need-scholarship for minorities there), and **my parents intend to pay absolutely nothing **for my college education. *</p>
<p>The fact that your parents won’t pay anything is a HUGE problem for you. Your “need-based aid” is going to already going to include full student loans, so there’s no way for you to cover your family’s EFC. And, if there’s a gap, you won’t be able to cover that either.</p>
<p>You can’t just get loans to cover the rest. You would need co-signers. I don’t recommend that because your federal student loans in your aid package are going to be large enough. </p>
<p>If you’re a NY resident, then you definitely need to consider some SUNYs. </p>
<p>You also might consider a private that has software engineering that is looking to improve its diversity numbers. </p>
<p>I really don’t think RIT is going to be affordable since you won’t be able to cover your EFC. If you apply to it, consider it to be a “financial reach” since paying for it will be unknown.</p>
<p>I have faith everything will work out 
There are some private scholarships that I am participating in…</p>
<p>…But, I will obviously be filling out an app to Monroe Community College. 5,000 a semester :)</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>I realize that MCC can be a safety for you, but you’ll still face this problem as a transfer student (and may be worse since transfer students often get worse aid).
Faith is good, but blind faith can be dangerous…and disappointing. :(</p>
<p>And, private scholarships are often for ONLY one year…so you’d come up short for years 2, 3, and 4.</p>
<p>Please add a SUNY or two. </p>
<p>Also, I think you need to add a couple of schools that want to add to their diversity. They will be more generous to you.</p>
<p>Folks…can you come up with some good schools that are wanting more male AA students? (is your major engineering??)</p>
<p>Yes, my field is engineering.</p>