<p>The family income of a foreign student is not verifiable and the financial situation is quite difficult for a university to judge. IMO, the OP should be thankful that he got admitted by WUSTL!</p>
<p>Can someone explain to me how you should be grateful to get accepted when you can't afford the school?</p>
<p>I'm not saying the OP should have gotten $40,000, but when I see an endowment reaching the billions, I start to wonder why a little aid can't be handed out. Once again, I was born and live in the US, and was accepted to selective schools that I very well may not be able to attend because of money, yet I still feel sympathy for international students who will not recieve the same help that I may recieve.</p>
<p>Whatever. Just don't go there and do really well somewhere else. Prove them wrong. </p>
<p>What I found was that the school that offered me the most financial aid was actually the better school. Normally schools that really have it together, and are really working on improving and servicing students, are the ones who give better financial aid. Just something to keep in mind.</p>
<p>"Can someone explain to me how you should be grateful to get accepted when you can't afford the school?"</p>
<p>Because at least you know that your application was good enough for the admissions office to view you as a person who could go to the school. A rejection could mean that one's academic and other credentials weren't good enough.</p>
<p>Internationals know full well that most US colleges don't give aid to internationals. At many top US colleges, also, it's far more difficult for internationals to gain admission than it is for US citizens. In addition, very few US colleges guarantee internationals 100% of their documented financial need. WashU is NOT one of those.</p>
<p>Consequently, an international student who needs $30,000 a year in financial aid knows from the beginning that the odds are low of getting that kind of financial aid unless s/he is lucky enough to get into a place like Harvard or Princeton, which guarantees to meet 100% of internationals' financial need.</p>
<p>WashU would clearly be a longshot financially for such a person. If such a person applied, however, they should have the good sense to do whatever they can to demonstrate interest. WashU is notorious for considering demonstrated interest when making admissions decisions. </p>
<p>The below is what Wash U says about aid for internationals. I also wonder whether the OP bothered to apply for merit aid there. Such applications also are taken into consideration for admissions purposes and presumably, too, to consider which internationals will get need-based aid.</p>
<p>"Washington University provides financial assistance for freshman and transfer international students. Financial assistance for qualified students is considered on a case-by-case basis. Although we do our best to provide competitive financial assistance packages, funding limitations prevent the University from providing financial support for all applicants who deserve it, nor is it always possible to meet every recipients requirements. Financial assistance is renewable for each year of undergraduate study, as long as the student is making normal progress toward the degree and maintaining a good academic record.</p>
<p>Finally, United States Immigration and Naturalization Service regulations severely restrict the employment of international students. Student should not, therefore, count on funds from any possible employment to defray the costs of tuition and living expenses.</p>
<p>International students may submit either the CSS-PROFILE or the Washington University International Financial Aid Application. The Financial Aid Application is sent to all applicants for admission. Or, click here to complete the International Financial Aid Application online. The CSS-PROFILE is available on the Internet from the College Board at <a href="http://www.collegeboard.com%5B/url%5D">www.collegeboard.com</a>. The Financial Assistance Application is due no later than November 15 for students applying Early Decision and February 15 for students applying Regular Decision.</p>
<p>Academic Scholarships and Fellowships for Freshmen</p>
<p>Washington University recognizes outstanding achievement by awarding freshman scholarships and fellowships in a variety of competitions and programs, many of which have no restrictions on citizenship. These extremely competitive awards are based solely on merit, and are renewable for three years assuming satisfactory academic performance."</p>
<p>"Can someone explain to me how you should be grateful to get accepted when you can't afford the school?"</p>
<p>WashU is a top tier school. Getting admission is a shot and luck. If you can't afford it don't apply. If you are playing the odds that you may get lucky and be awarded aid - fine (internationals in need for aid should play this game).</p>
<p>But don't whine.</p>
<p>This may be hard for you to understand, but schools are not obligated to give you a dime - just because you feel that you need and deserve.</p>
<p>They may have billions in endowment, but they also want those funds to last forever. Typically 5-6% of those funds are used every year. Rest are invested.</p>
<p>First of all, i wish you the best of luck with your situation. I actually work for the government processing financial aid forms. Although I do not accept or deny anyone of aid personally, I do the best job that I can when processing these documents so that student do get the aid they deserve. Its really sad to see some kids whose parents make well over $100,000 a year and are applying for financial aid. Some of these students are accepted. Granted,some of these students should recieve help in certain situations. Other students however, are living on their own and can barely make ends meet and are rejected of financial aid. All they are trying to do is get the best education possible so they will someday be able to tie the ends together. Sometimes the game doesnt seem to be played fairly and I see this first hand. You just keep on doing what your doing and justice will be served in the end and be proud of yourself for getting an education in the first place. I hope everything works out for you.</p>
<p>sarah_82: Over a $100K doesn't mean squat in some areas of the country, like here in Boston, near NYC, near DC, California, the list goes on. Double that amount for these areas of the country and then maybe.... But basically if you're in one of these areas of the country, then take a mortgage and 2 or 3 kids and you're gonna have a tough time paying $45K a year for college, even if you're well upwards of $100K. If you don't believe me, come take a look at my checkbook and I'll show you the lack of extravagances and how the bills add up.</p>
<p>Maybe you wouldn't know this if you aren't yet in the situation of having to pay family bills and pay for college.</p>
<p>I am aware that sometimes that amount doesnt mean squat but sometimes it does depending on the situation. My point is that I have seen deserving kids be rejected and not so deserving kids be accepted.</p>
<p>Then perhaps you should have left out the part about:</p>
<p>"Its really sad to see some kids whose parents make well over $100,000 a year and are applying for financial aid."</p>
<p>Perhaps you should have read the part that some kids do deserve financial aid in certain situations even though their parents may make that much money. Meaning that they may have 2 or 3 kids or whatever other expenses. And perhaps you shouldnt be taking this so personal. I never intended to offend any one and I agree I should have chose my words a little wiser but where I come from, a small town in Illinois, $100,000 is a massive amount of income. And I deal mostly with people from my area some just looking for a free ride. I also should have took into consideration that the cost of living is a little different in different parts of the country. Even so, I was most certainly NOT pointing any fingers!! So maybe you should not take everything so personal and understand that what I wrote was merely an example and not an attack.
I also apologize to you, Always Faithful, for letting this stupid disagreement continue and I still wish you luck.</p>
<p>sarah does have a point though. If you take her wrods literally and apply to your individual situation, it may not apply. But, on a generic sense she is correct.</p>
<p>You're on the right track with this: " agree I should have chose my words a little wiser" although your grammar or spelling leaves much to be desired, as also evidenced by "I also should have took into consideration."</p>
<p>Simba--I only disagreed with one point in Sarah's post, and if you think she's on target in that one point then I disagree with you too.</p>
<p>well, soproud, before you totally knock sarah, we made about 100,000 last year, will make maybe 70,000 this year, have never gotten aid and probably won't . Why? Because we save. A lot. We live unbelievably frugally. Oh, and we live right outside NYC. It can be done. but you have to buck the trend of what lifestyle it is expected you will have.</p>
<p>Didn't "totally knock" Sarah, disagreed with one item in her post and pointed out she needs to up her writing skills. How do you know I don't live "unbelievably frugally" and haven't bucked the same trends?</p>
<p>My grammar or spelling may not be that great. Hey, I am from Southern Illinois. Give me a break.<br>
Anyways, if you have to resort to those kind of insults, I can take it because I know I am one smart woman and I wouldn't be where I am today if I wasn't.<br>
Like I said though, I had a point and it was turned into something it was not meant to be. I did not mean to start all this or to make anyone mad and I do apologize. I am aware that not everyone will agree with me and I can handle that to. There is no need to bicker about it.
Well, gotta go. Gotta watch me some Hee Haw!!</p>
<p>my two cents.. call them up. tell them your situation and hopefully they will be sympathetic when they hear you as a person rather than seeing you as numbers.</p>
<p>You are so out of line.</p>
<p>Sarah, don't be scared away from this board (it may be not be as much fun than Hee Haw). With your experience and job, you could be a valuable resource here.</p>
<p>Kids and parents could use your expertise.</p>
<p>Anyway, welcome.</p>
<p>"You're on the right track with this: " agree I should have chose my words a little wiser" although your grammar or spelling leaves much to be desired, as also evidenced by "I also should have took into consideration.""</p>
<p>Not just disagreeing with one point. Unnecessarily mean.</p>
<p>If you are living unbelievably frugally, then paying for college on "well upward of 100,000" should be doable.</p>
<p>sarah,
I think you have a unique point of view to offer and I, for one, would be glad to hear it. I have been reading this board for a year, and I can tell you that sometimes you hit a hot topic that inspires rath and sometimes you just end up with argumentative posters no matter what the subject. More that one member has needed to take a break from here. I hope you stay! :)</p>