I am an early action applicant to Chapel Hill, and recently I have been accepted into the university and its Honors College through ExcelCarolina. This is all very good news, but I am also somewhat nervous because I am in desperate need of a scholarship. My family makes pretty good money; however, I am a quadruplet and my parents (if we don’t earn scholarships) will have to pay out of pocket for 4 college students at once. I just wanted to know if invitations for scholarship day at Chapel Hill have already been sent out so I can know if I have missed the invitation window. So I would find it really helpful if you guys could share with me anything you know: if you’ve received an invitation, for what scholarship, etc,. Thank you!
Are you in state or out of state? Do you know what your FAFSA EFC is? It should be split between the 4 children. Lastly, do you know how much your parents can spend?
I am in-state. My FAFSA EFC is about 14,800; however, I don’t think this calculator takes into mind that my parents will soon have 4 students in college at once, and do you mean monthly or yearly?
The FAFSA asks how many children will be in college at the same time. If you answered this question correctly (4 will be in college), then your FAFSA EFC took that into account when it gave you the number- $14,800. This is the amount you will be asked to pay ( this is based on how they did it for us last year). If you did not put down that 4 will be in college, then you need to go back and change it, which will result in a lower EFC. You can look at your answers. Will your parents pay your EFC? That number is per year for each child.
This may be different for your siblings depending on where they go.
I could be wrong, but my guess is that scholarship recipients have been notified. Do you know how much your parents can contribute?
@Knndygm I know CSS asks about how many kids are in college at the same time; I think it basically will divide the EFC into 4 in your case. Do make sure you are clear there will be 4 kids in college at the same time. Since I think even rich families would get huge aid (at least at elite privates) with that many kids in school at once.
Keep in mind that although UNC meets full need that they are a Profile school and will use the Profile to calculate what they feel you can afford. I believe the other state schools only use the FAFSA form.
Also keep in mind that it is often possible to trim your actual COA. UNC has many different meal plan or even the option for no meal plan. Book costs can often be reduced by renting or buying used. They have a great free bus system so working off campus might be an option.
Get your CSS profile submitted and I think you will be given quite a bit of aid given your circumstances. My child received a decent amount of aid when we had two in school and our income is pretty solid too. With 4, you should be OK. You might give the financial aid office a call for some reassurance and guidance. Best of luck and congratulations!