<p>* we CAN’T pay our EFC. It’s ridiculous…The advice we were given was to go ahead an apply to a lot of schools, because our son has excellent stats and “you never know.”*</p>
<p>While I understand that advice, the advice needs to include a mention that such a student needs to apply to at least a couple of school that are known to be so generous with merit that they will award scholarships that will exceed need (if need exists) to cut into EFC. Unfortunately, there are some schools that won’t give merit or won’t give enough merit to reduce EFC. </p>
<p>By applying to a couple of schools that will give assured big merit for stats, at least you’re not having to sit on pins and needles wondering if any of the “you never know” schools will come thru. :)</p>
<p>*The problem is, I was naive to the “leveraging” concept-better stats, more aid. *</p>
<p>Yes, that does seem to be the dirty little secret. That’s why when someone is given a fab FA package from a nonelite, I like to know that their stats are. Another child at the same school with the same EFC, but lower stats, will more likely get a crappy FA package.</p>
<p>A low EFC only seems to be good if stats are strong for the school. I’m sure there are exceptions, but that’s what seems to often happen.</p>
<p>Oh, we definitely included some financial safety schools, so DS will be fine. And we told him at the beginning of the process that money was a key factor, so he won’t be disappointed if he doesn’t get to go to a certain school.</p>
<p>You raise an interesting point, which has been the subject of research by economists of education. (I particularly recommend the writings of Mark Blaug on this subject, but you can check the work of other economists on the same issue.) Public expenditure subsidies of HIGHER education (as contrasted with K-12 schooling) tend to result in wealth transfers from the poor to the rich, because the incidence of taxation is general, but the provision of the subsidized service goes mostly to the benefit of the best-off families. (Poor people, even of very high academic ability, are often unable to pursue higher education, while more wealthy people, even of quite low academic ability, are always able to find a college to admit them.) </p>
<p>This difference in impact between K-12 schooling and higher education is noted in trans-national comparisons, such that most economists of education think it is best for a whole society to confine tax subsidies for schooling mostly to the ages at which pupils cannot work for their own support, providing schooling to all pupils at those ages, but to fund higher education mostly (but perhaps not exclusively) from private funds, accessible to each family by savings, concurrent work, private charity, or credit. A mixed system of higher education with many colleges funded mostly by private funds actually produces the greatest access to higher education by the most students.</p>
<p>Hornet - I hear ya. My S sounds similar to yours. He likes some pricy higer tiered privates, can probably gain admittance, but his stats won’t get him the aid.</p>
<p>I tried for the first 3 years of HS to get him to apply himself to his studies, but he didn’t care at the time. So now he’s seen the light and is having a stellar senior year, but it’s a little late for the college admisisons process. So he’ll probably be going to an in state public. If he applies his new found work ethic to undergraduate school, he’ll be able to go to a good graduate school. I see it as a life lesson for him.</p>
<p>We haven’t recieved any financial aid offers yet - our EFC was $14,000 but I am appealing for a reduction in income at both the schools S is interested in. H retired from the Army Reserve in November and our income will be about $20,000 less in 2010. We’ll see what happens - S knows a lot depends on the schools showing us the color of their cash.</p>
<p>Does all these whinning help anything at all? </p>
<p>I still believe the FAFSA system is a good one. Whether there is gaps or “unfairly” high EFC are not the system’s fault. Some of the gaps between FA packages and COA could be that the school simply does not meet 100% of the need. The “unfairly” high EFC could be that family has the resource but a different priority. </p>
<p>Whining all you want. I would rather spend those time doing some research on how to get more FA etc.</p>
<p>Dad II…this is the one place we can just whine. I’m sure all of us are trying to be productive and find answers, but sometimes you just need to VENT</p>
<p>R6L, I am not against venting at all. However, I do object to the timing. </p>
<p>To me, this is like someone venting on their steak is not cooked to 100% of their satisfactory to someone who hasn’t had anything to eat for three days.</p>
<p>^ I don’t get your logic…I’m not allowed to vent because my financial aid package won’t address that my dad hasn’t worked since november and has racked up medical bills for cancer???</p>
<p>I don’t understand either - you come into a thread about whining and complain about whining? That’s like going into the posted smoking section and complaining about the smoke.</p>
<p>Martina,
I agree with you completely. Sometimes not getting what you want as a result of lack of effort is the exact lesson needed for a young person. I think my son will get more out of there finally being an end to his “luck” and “just getting by”. He has been great about not being able to attend the expensive LACs and has applied to the small residential college program at the large state school he has been accepted to. We have appealed FA decisions at several of the LACs but I doubt little will come of it. The lesson here is “hard work pays off”. Sounds like your son is getting it now. Many kids from the state schools go on to greatness. It is all about attitude and effort.</p>
<p>Dad II,
I am sorry but please take your sanctimony elsewhere. The purpose here is to commiserate. Go find another thread to lecture to others on. Leave us to our catharsis.</p>
<p>Of course you do. It’s worked quite well for your family. Please remember that not all families have the good fortune that your family has had, with a child admitted to a wonderful school that offered a tremendous FA package.</p>
<p>We are indeed very grateful for the wonder FA our DD receives. However, any one who has the similiar financial situation at the same school will receive the same FA package. Believe me, it is still a hard struggle for us to pay our EFC. One time we almost did not make the payment on time.</p>
<p>Also, we are having another student in this difficult process. At this time, I would consider anyone with FA package already to be among the very lucky ones. Many people are still anxiously waiting for their FA package. You could whine all you want when everyone get a seat at the table. </p>
<p>After April 1st, there is a very high chance I will join you guys to whine about EFC.</p>
<p>Dad, keep in mind, most of our children applied to more than one school - likely most of us have not received the majority of our fin aid packages - which means likely, there is much more whining to come!!!</p>