<p>Hello!! For this question on the common app</p>
<p>Do you intend to pursue need-based financial aid? Should I be putting yes or no. </p>
<p>Income Bracket: 200K+. However, I would still like to get aid whenever possible. </p>
<p>Thank you for any feedback. </p>
<p>Hi, caplocks are ugly. Income at 200k means no need based aid anywhere-- you are much too high to even be close I’m afraid. If you have any doubt, you can run the Net Price Calculator (google it) on each college website. It will ask you a little more detailed questions that might help such as how many students will be in college. Also, you may still be eligible for merit scholarships, if available.</p>
<p>Did you discuss the annual budget for college with your parents yet?</p>
<p>You might qualify for a little aid if you have a sibling in school. I have heard of some situations where colleges require students to fill out FA info to qualify for merit. I have no idea what colleges those are as I have never seen one - I think it’s pretty rare but you should check your schools’ individual websites just to be sure. </p>
<p>In the meantime, think merit, merit, merit because you’re not getting financial aid (or much, anyway). </p>
<p>What are your parents saying? Are they saying that they will pay all costs? or not?</p>
<p>You’re a NMSF…are you applying anywhere that you’d get a lot of merit…maybe Northeastern Univ or other schools?</p>
<p>It appears that you live in Calif? If so, are your parents saying that they’ll only pay the cost of a UC (about $30k)?</p>
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<p>Please chance me. I appreciate any feedback.</p>
<p>Asian Male
Major: Computer Science</p>
<p>GPA: 4.00/4.00 UW
SAT: 2250;
ACT: 34
SAT II:
Math 2: 800
Chemistry: 770
Physics: 770</p>
<p>AP classes taken/taking (Total: 9) : Calc BC, Comp Sci, English Lang, Phys C, Stats, English Lit, French, Comp. Gov, Chemistry.</p>
<p>AP Scores:
Calc BC: 5
English Lang: 4
Comp Sci: 4
Physics C Mech: 4
Physics C E&M: 3</p>
<p>Essays and Recs: Probably pretty solid, but nothing extraordinary.</p>
<p>Notable ECs:
Computer Science Internship at UCLA
President of a Volunteer Organization (4 Years)
Vice President & Captain of Destination Imagination Team (3 Years) - several awards won, top 7 in state.
Speech and Debate Varsity Member (3 Years) - awards won
High School Soccer Team (2 Years)
Officer of Engineering Team (2 Years) - awards won, 1st Place Southern CA.
Tutor Middle School Students (4 Years)</p>
<p>Notable Awards:
National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist.
National Honor Society</p>
<p>Thank you very much.</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>Well yes, my parents are only willing to pay for half tuition at privates.
But I’m not applying anywhere where NMSF will help a lot. @mom2collegekids </p>
<p>Therefore, I would probably need big loans if attending a private college.</p>
<p>^^^Therefore, you need new schools. You’re a smart kid. Your parents will pay 30 grand. That’s a boatload of money. Find yourself an affordable school. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Then wouldn’t financial reality dictate that you should? Isn’t applying to USC a no-brainer?</p>
<p>You won’t get aid so put down no.
On a side note it means you don’t need to deal with any of the complicated tax information and it might help your chances at some not need blind intuitions. </p>
<p>I’m not sure an acceptance will help this kid if his family is willing to pay $30,000 and the school’s cost $50,000 or more. Where will that extra loan money come from? The OP is only able to get a $5500 Direct Loan. To get that, the family will need to do the FAFSA. </p>
<p>To the OP…how do you plan to pay $20,000 or more in costs to these colleges?</p>
<p>ETA…Cornell gives good aid but it is need based aid only…and your income of $200,000 would not get you need based aid there. cost of attendance is $60,000 or so, per year.</p>
<p>ETA…again…if your parents are willing to pay $30,000 a year…then it sounds like they are willing to pay the instate costs for you to attend a public university in CA where you are a resident.</p>
<p>Yes I applied to USC for NMSF as well as their Dec 1 Merit Schol. But I put “no” for need based financial aid and I am just wondering if I should email them to change that to a “yes.” My parents are only willing put up 30k, but I would still not qualify as “need based” right? @GMTplus7 </p>
<p>Indeed, my parents would prefer me to attend a public university in California. That is also my preference. However, if I am, somehow, accepted in a top school, I would love the opportunity to at least be able to attend. If I do not receive any financial aid, I would apply for loans. @thumper1 </p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback again!</p>
<p>I’m still unsure if I should be saying “yes” to that question for USC, Cornell, and Stanford, etc. Does it hurt my admission chances? Do I even have a chance of receiving “need based financial aid”</p>
<p>Also, I am in no way whatsoever upset with my parents, if I came off that way. I am very thankful and grateful that they will pay anything. I am just curious about the next step to proceed with in my current situation. </p>
<p>What loans do YOU plan to apply for that will cover the $30,000 shortfall? You can’t apply for those loans in your own name. Your parents would need to cosign…will they cosign $120,000 in loans over four years for you? </p>
<p>I don’t see what harm it does to check YES. For need blind schools, your admission won’t be affected by your ability to pay. For need aware schools, the schools will see that your need based financial aid is zippo…so it’s not like they would be needing to weigh your application against someone who is a full pay. YOU are a full pay.</p>
<p>The bigger question…the schools you listed are Profile Schools. Will your parents complete the FAFSA and Profile? </p>
<p>Your ticking yes for FA is just the beginning. Are your parents going to fill out all the financial forms?</p>
<p>@thumper1
@GMTplus7 </p>
<p>I will fill out the financial forms, fafsa and css, for my profile schools - In January. </p>
<p>My dad says he will have me take the loans in my name, so that I can become financially responsible. But if that is not possible, I guess I will have to work that out in a different manner. </p>
<p>I am trying to do the research on the financial aid process myself, but finding the right answers is very difficult, for me. </p>
<p>It seems that I will select, “yes” for financial aid then, because my private schools are all need blind. </p>
<p>I will email USC today, and change my selection. </p>
<p>Thank you very much for the feedback. I really appreciate it. If you have any other advice, please let me know. </p>
<p>Here are the loan amounts YOU can take in YOUR name only. You are eligible for these by completing a FAFSA. These are Direct Loans.</p>
<p>Freshman $5500</p>
<p>Sophomore $6500</p>
<p>Junior. $7500</p>
<p>Senior. $7500.</p>
<p>That’s it. Anything above that amount will require a cosigner.</p>
<p>@thumper1 </p>
<p>Oh I see. </p>
<p>Can I still apply for FAFSA even if I have answered “no” to need-based financial aid?</p>
<p>Yes. You can fill out the FAFSA at any time.</p>
<p>@thumper1 </p>
<p>Okay, thank you for all the help!</p>
<p>Your dad doesn’t understand loans. YOU can only borrow the following amounts:</p>
<p>5500 frosh
6500 soph
7500 jr
7500 sr</p>
<p>To borrow more than that, YOUR DAD would have to borrow the money or co-sign (and that puts HIM on the hook)</p>
<p>make sure your dad understands that you can’t borrow much.</p>