<p>Kat, If you don't mind sharing the name of the school here, I'd be happy to look up any info. about financial aid package breakdowns in the US News Ultimate College Guide for you --- or you can find it in bookstores and take a quick glance yourself. It usually lists percentage graduating with loans and average loan amount, as well as info. about the percent receiving financial aid who get gift, work study, etc. Might just be another data point.</p>
<p>I'm still not too sure of the new look.</p>
<p>I like the way you could see more topics on one page...fewer mouse clicks. I do like not having to sign in more than once, however. Oh well.</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>I like the new look; imo it's easier to use and navigate; and i was having problems posting and such on the old forum.</p>
<p>And blaineko, I don't know why but I do NOT have to sign in more than once, it just 'remember's my screename.</p>
<p>How do I access the old forums? Where are the archives? Can't see them.</p>
<p>achat, here's the link to the old forum, and the archives are at the bottom of each section.</p>
<p>Kat, since your D is a recruited athlete, she might be eligible to get early notification via likely letter from an ivy, and possibly an estimated financial aid package at that time. Talk to the coach at the college and let him know that the only reason your D is hesitating about ED is the financial issue; that she really cannot go heavy on the loans. He may come up with some solutions.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, even looking at average awards, unless you are savvy about using the aid calculators (you are probably in that category having gone through this before), it is difficult for most of us to guess what a school is going to give the child. And unless it is a no loan school--very few of them, the composition of the financial aid is truly up in the air until you get the award letter. It is a real pain to back out of ED even for legitimate reasons, and frankly, there are many warnings about not applying ED if you need to compare or need a specific amount of money, so that is not considered such a pressing reason unless there has been a drastic change in circumstances between the time the ED app is sent and the decision letter is sent.</p>
<p>I was travelling during the change over to the new format, but finally after much effort (probably due to my own incompetence) have logged on!</p>
<p>Welcome back Momrath.</p>