<p>I was just wondering, has anyone else found U of C's aid to be a tad wanting? For example, look at this discrepancy:</p>
<p>Harvard offered me $33, 600 in need-based aid, while
U of C offered me $2, 800 in aid, $1, 000 of which was a National Merit Scholarship. Needless to say, that difference removed any doubt about where I should go.</p>
<p>Is this common?</p>
<p>that's really really weird.</p>
<p>Did you maybe forget to send CSS Profile/FAFSA to Chicago?</p>
<p>That is quite strange. U of C meets 100% of demonstrated need and is usually fairly strong with their aid.</p>
<p>Does harvard not require the business/farm supplement if you own a small business because thats the only thing--short of submitting different data to the too schools--that I can see affecting the results that much (if you had a lot of money or value in a business).</p>
<p>I would definately appeal the financial aid decision. I think it has to be in writing so I would write them a letter (and attatch the exact forms that you sent harvard) noting the size if this discrepency and appealing their initial decision. They could have messed up and you should be sure.</p>
<p>Please do this responsibly, though. By 'responsibly' I mean don't appeal the aid decision if you aren't considering attending, even if they can beat Harvard's offer.</p>
<p>UofC likes stealing Harvard students. Showing them a package from a Harvard acceptance and letting them know you want UofC more, just need to pay for it, would be a good bargaining tool.</p>
<p>Uhhh... I was offered 31,000</p>
<p>When did you receive your aid notification? We're still waiting here.....</p>
<p>I agree that there was a mistake if you received that much need-based from the other school. They shouldn't be that far apart.</p>
<p>I was glad to see that need based fin's aid for dd is very consistent amoung UChi, Brown, UC-Berkeley and Grinnell to name a few disparate schools. The only difference is in the amount of loans vs grants.</p>
<p>There is clearly a mistake in your papers or Chicago's or Harvard's. Best not assume Harvard is right. Check out all your paperwork. Need based aid like that assumes a pretty low income and few assets.</p>
<p>bettina, did you just recieve your aid?</p>
<p>Our aid package arrived Monday, but all the paperwork (including 2004 taxes) were in well before that. It was in line with what the finaid predictors (collegeboard, princeton, etc.) said it would be, and the grant/loan/work study allocation was pretty reasonable. I agree with Bettina - check the paperwork!</p>
<p>Okay, we should receive ours soon. Our paperwork and taxes were submitted at the end of January. I was hoping we'd get it before my son goes to visit next week. </p>
<p>It almost looks like an accounting error for patches..add a zero and move the decimal point to the end.</p>
<p>Oh, gosh, hope it comes soon, Texas. Life is so much happier here with the decision in place. S made me write the deposit check before I changed my mind! And then he happilly filled out his loan forms (hum, maybe he's not as smart as I thought...).</p>
<p>Sadly, we are no closer to buying the tee shirt and matching hat to proclaim "the decision." The missing fin aid will help, as will his scheduled visits. I think I have a few more loop-de-loops before I get off this roller coaster. You must feel absolutely over the moon!</p>
<p>Ah, well, do your best to enjoy the ride. And there's always the 'fair coin' if April 30th rolls around with no decision in sight!</p>
<p>wow, how did you get so much? i wish i could get that much and i think i might. However, I plan to give back to Chicago all the money they give me now in the future (accounting inflation) when I have money, I don't like free things.</p>
<p>Still waiting here. <em>taps foot impatiently</em> The Wake Forest fin aid came today, and all I can say is they must be on crack. U Chicago would have to try very hard to look stingy. Fortunately he's got some better offers in the bag.</p>
<p>Anyone have any idea why Chicago is so slow with the aid awards? S's GF has been waiting quite some time too!!</p>
<p>Its not chicago, its the mail. I got mine almost as soon as they were announced.</p>
<p>When was soon, otto? Just curious. We are in the boonies of Texas.</p>
<p>The 4th or 5th (probobly the 4th).</p>
<p>I am in a minneapolis suburb and I think my EA acceptance came the day after they sent it so they probobly sent around the 2nd or 3rd.</p>
<p>Thanks! That's good to know. There' s no way the armadillo could have trudged all the way to my mailbox from Chicago in that short time span. :p</p>