<p>I've heard that they'd force me to attend even if I can't pay...but how am I supposed to produce money that just isn't there?</p>
<p>Furthermore, if I really have to withdraw all my RD applications as soon as I find out that I've gotten in (but BEFORE I find out how much financial aid they're offering!!!) wouldn't that really screw me over if I can't afford it? Then I can't go to college at all...</p>
<p>i'm sure they'll try to help you out. After all, they don't want you transferring out of their school if you're unhappy. They like having a strong freshman retention rate for their stats.</p>
<p>wait i haev a question... im in a middleclass family so we didn't APPLY for financial aid (we're at that awkward between stage of not qualifying) but might we still get offered some???</p>
<p>I don't think that they offer financial aid to people who don't apply for it (some schools, like Rochester, will offer merit aid to top acceptees, even if they didn't ask for it). In fact, in this economy, where NU has lost over $1 billion of its endowment, there might be less aid available altogether, so I can't see how they could just offer it without a full FAFSA form and application for it.</p>
<p>SHOOT! and i imagine you can't apply for aid after matriculating, even in future years....</p>
<p>@WCASParent - since the FAFSA isn't available till January, I only submitted the CSS form...so NU will make the decision based on that alone, and it doesn't even ask about things like childcare expenses (I have two very little siblings) and care for aging grandparents (mine live on the opposite side of the globe so my parents have to travel a lot). </p>
<p>If NU doesn't give me enough aid (which I'm almost certain it won't), will submitting the FAFSA and/or talking to them about it persuade them to change their mind?</p>
<p>I was an international ineligible for any aid so I know very little about FA. But what if they just give you tons of loans? Then you are screwed cos you do have enough aid to attend technically, just not in the form you like.</p>
<p>You can post this question in Parent Cafe. I think you'll get more help there.</p>
<p>did they really lose a billion in endowment this year? where did you get this from?</p>
<p>if we get rejected in ED that means they don't consider us for RD right?</p>
<p>^^ unless deferred, no. :/</p>
<p>I don't think NU defers but I could be wrong.</p>
<p>First off, you won't be burdened with tons of loans. NU implemented a 20k loan cap meaning you'll be repaid any loans over that number, one of the reasons I did ED here.</p>
<p>Furthermore, I highly doubt NU will force you to go there if you really cant pay for it with the aid you recieve. There have been slight disparities in the number accepted ED and number attending; I assume some of these may be from financial reasons.</p>
<p>In the end, just keep in mind you won't have loans more than 20k past your EFC over 4 years at least. I think itll be fine. =)</p>
<p>^ How did you post 10 minutes into the future? 0o</p>
<p>Northwestern hasn't deferred in the past but there have been rumors flying around that they might this year.</p>
<p>EDIT: dfleish, how is your post below mine when I'm responding to it? ><</p>
<p>My guidance counselor told me they're deferring this year O_o</p>
<p>sondosia- i just reread the ED agreement, so basically if you applied for financial aid and NU doesn't give you a good package, or your family cannot pay for financial reasons, then you can be released from the agreement. It also says if you are seeking financial aid and applied ED then you do not need to withdraw your applications for other RD schools you are applying to, this is what it says:</p>
<p>If you are accepted under an early decision plan you must promptly withdraw the applications submitted to other colleges and universities and make no additional applications. If you are an Early Decision candidate and are seeking financial aid, you need not withdraw other applications until you have received notification about financial aid.</p>
<p>If you didn't apply for financial aid, then I don't think you can get out of it. However, after talking to some counselors about financial aid, they've told me that you can sort of "haggle" the financial package they offer you. I'm sure Northwestern would work with you and your family to make the best possible financial aid package.</p>
<p>As for deferring they are doing it, I'm sure of it, because the representative for admissions of my district told us this is the first year they will be deferring.</p>
<p>But yeah just re-read the fine print of the ED agreement if your not sure, or call the financial aid office.</p>
<p>@Lovelyshakencoco - THANK YOU. I was so worried; I posted this question on the parents forum and about 20 people immediately told me to call and switch my application to RD if I had the slightest worry about financial aid...</p>
<p>And I thought, Northwestern's my dream school, why on earth would I apply RD?</p>
<p>This clears it up. Thanks!</p>
<p>No problem lol, i'm in the same boat! =]</p>
<p>Sondosia, because it's the honest thing to do. I have to question your maturity in listening to the thoughts of one teenager while ignoring the advice of 20 adults. You can study the kind of aid NU has given in past years, do a trial FAFSA and CSS and talk to NU's aid office.</p>
<p>If you do all that you'll learn that NU in general does not give the generous aid that Harvard and some of the schools you're applying to do. If money is a problem for your family RD is unfortunately the only comfortable answer when NU is your number one choice.</p>
<p>You can ask NU questions about whether whether they allow for child care or expenses for a grand parent. chances are pretty much nil for the latter anywhere. All the info is there, you just have to put it together.
I wish you luck but I'm afraid there will be serious consequences should you break an ED commitment.</p>
<p>@hmom5 - All I really needed to know was whether or not they would let me out of the ED agreement supposing I can't afford it. Since they WILL, I don't see why I shouldn't apply ED.</p>
<p>As I said, Northwestern is my dream school, and the chances for getting admitted ED are 10% higher than RD. Financial aid is a concern for me, but not a HUGE concern, since they would have to offer me VERY little aid in order for me to need to attend a different school.</p>
<p>I just disagree that I need to sacrifice my college dreams after working this hard for so many years, that's all. My parents agree with me on this one.</p>
<p>I'm going to have to disagree with you hmom5, but I've heard breaking the ED agreement -strictly- for financial reasons will not hurt an applicants chances elsewhere. I do know that simply breaking it for any other reason, is however, frowned upon. </p>
<p>If NU is your dream, they specifically state apply ED. While NU may or may not offer enough aid, you chances ARE higher and you are showing dedication to the school. I'd do the same thing in your shoes, Sondosia.</p>
<p>At this point, I think it's too late to switch to RD anyway.</p>