Strange dilemma about financial aid...

<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>I received an email a few days ago from a school I applied to (Scripps) asking for a "confidential financial statement", which my parents are supposed to sign to ensure that I have the necessary finances. I am an international student and have not applied for any financial aid.</p>

<p>The thing is, my parents have refused to sign the form stating that they "can't pay for it" and so cannot fill it out. I applied way back in November when my dad told me that we could be able to pay it in full. However, it seems like his finances have finally taken quite a hit and so I will be unable to pay for Scripps, should I be accepted.</p>

<p>So what do I do now? Not turn the form in? Do I tell the office of admissions that I will withdraw my application? I am very mad as it is and frankly, I have no clue what I'm supposed to do in this situation.</p>

<p>Can anyone help me out?</p>

<p>All International students (at all schools, not just yours) are required to provide a statement of finances whether or not they are applying for financial aid. I believe it is a requirement for the student visa process.</p>

<p>If your parents will not fill the form out you will have a problem as it is a requirement that schools cannot waive. As far as the financial aid aspect, the best thing is to talk to the school and see if there is any possibility of aid. Then at least you will know where you stand.</p>

<p>I understand that all schools require it. </p>

<p>My dad is being very stubborn (he's German haha) and absolutely refuses to fill anything out until I've been accepted somewhere. I think it also has to do with the fact that sadly he's never heard of Scripps, and doesn't think it's worth $200,000, which I can understand to some degree. I too, am skeptical of whether four years at Scripps is a wise investment when I could go to the UK and attend a better school (arguably) and pay only $50,000.</p>

<p>I will call the admissions office tomorrow and ask. In the mean time, do a lot of schools send out the statement of finances before a decision has been made? So far, Scripps is the only one to send me anything of this sort. All my other schools have online application management systems and all state that everything has been received.</p>

<p>If you can attend a comparable school in England for 1/4 of the cost, by all means do so. It doesn't make sense to go to Scripps when there are other alternatives available. You can always consider a California school for an advanced degree.</p>